"whatever floats your boat"

Question

Would someone help me translate this phrase. Gracias.

Answer 1

It depends on the context.

Answer 2

Answer 3

heidita is correct.

"whatever floats your boat" is the same as "whatever turns you on"; "whatever you say"; "whatever flies your kite"; "whatever stokes your fire", etc., etc., or just plain "whatever".

It can be friendly and easy-going or it can be used sarcastically depending on the tone of voice. It means "whatever you like or whatever you think or whatever you want", etc. It's a phrase used to indicate that you will willingly go along with what somebody says or wishes or that you don't want to argue with them.

I would add to heidita's list:

como quieras

como tu dices

Answer 4

Although you have received good advice already, I'll add that this phrase is almost always used in the sense of "I can't understand why you would want to do that, but if that's what you want/like, hey, it's OK with me."

While all of the suggestions so far do convey the basic idea of "whatever you want," I would suggest using a phrase that includes the above nuance of not agreeing with the other person's choice. A dicho might work here, such as:

Para gustos se han hecho colores
(or the shorter version Para gustos, los colores
Sobre gustos, no hay nada escrito

Answer 5

Thanks for all the replies and for the word "dicho".

Answer 6

Hi James, but these:

Para gustos se han hecho colores

Answer 7

jejej, I love your expressions!!!

"whatever stokes your fire"...lovely!!

Welcome to the forum, my friend!

Answer 8

We usually say that when we are in disagreement with the speaker.

As I said, that's exactly how this phrase is usually used. Of course, it COULD be used in a positive way (as could the Spanish dichos), but it is not usually used that way. Here's an example I've made up.

• Let's go, and put on your jacket.
• I don't need a jacket.
• But it's snowing outside!
• I don't think it's cold.
• Hey, whatever floats your boat.

And "Para gustos se han hecho colores" is my favorite of all Spanish dichos. Whoever came up with it was a poet.

Answer 9

Ahora !!!!!!!!!!!!

Then we would say:

Lo que tú digas.....

Haz lo que te de la gana....
Especially in Spain:

Allá tú...

tú mismo....
all of which have a slightly negative nuance. The others given before are friendly .

Answer 10

Those sound good, Heidita. Much better than the others.

Could you give more details about "Allá tú..."? That one I've never heard before.

Answer 11

"Whatever turns you on" can have sexual overtones, so i would be careful with that one depending on whom you are speaking with. (I wouldn't say it to my grandma.)