Jealous pinch
I don't know how to translate the following sentence into Spanish:
"She was one of the seven children that knew more than anyone the jealous pinch of wanting things a person in a large family rarely received"
What is a jealous pinch? I looked for "pinch" in the dictionary: pellizco. What does it have to do with jealous? Thanks for the help
9 Answers
The word "pinch" can mean so many things. The definition I see fitting in this situation is: to affect with sharp discomfort or distress, as cold, hunger, or need does.
Therefore, think "jealous pinch" means the discomfort or pain of jealousy.
"She was one of the seven children that knew more than anyone the [the pain of jealousy] (jealous pinch) of wanting things a person in a large family rarely received"
and what about "sabor amargo"?
Ella fue de los siete niños la que mejor conoció el sabor amargo (jealous pinch) de no tener aquello que una familia numerosa no podía dar...
Is there in "sabor amargo" the meaning of jealous lost? "Sabor amargo" is related to something that is not satisfied?
Thank you all!
Odila
What that says isn't what it says, which is why it gives you confusion.
Well it certainly says what it says. It may not mean what the author intended to say (in which case, the author spoke carelessly) or it may be that the literal meaning was not what was intended (in which case, the author may have been speaking/writing metaphorically).
Under normal circumstances, "to feel the pinch" means that ones life (actions) are constrained by external circumstances (usually, financial) (in an unaccustomed way). One could say "He didn't buy the Lear jet/120' yacht because he was feeling the pinch of the recession." However, this would normally be taken as sarcasm (because it deals with luxury items, not the basic necessities). Usually, "feeling the pinch" refers to having a difficult time "getting by" rather than a simple reduction in (a luxurious) lifestyle .
For the same reason "feel the pinch" is not appropriate if one is simply envious of others who have more (of whatever).
It's not a pinch in the strict sense of the word, but more like when you are on a diet and see someone eating a flan or a big hunk of chocolate cake with syrup. That feeling isn't a pinch...es mas como una gana insatisfecho...a itch that you can't scratch.
If anything, I suppose that the word "pinch" has (as its literal meaning) the sensation of having a portion of ones flesh compressed by an exterior force that results in discomfort. The (somewhat metaphorical) meaning that is well established in popular usage has to do with a sense of discomfort (perhaps, only psychological) that results from "reduced circumstances". The sense of the imposition of external constraints (that are perceived as painful) (usually economic constraints).
As for your "gana insatisfecha", I agree, that this is not a case of "feeling the pinch".
The translation "pellizco de envidia" is similar to "a bit of jealousy" (un poco de envidia).
The word "pellizco" can be used for indicating a portion of something. And, at the same time, can have a metaphorical meaning. It is similar to "a pinch in the stomach". It indicates your mood.
En espanol se dice, o prodria decir, ella sabia como es tener ganas insatisfecho...o algo asi. Esa forma de escribir, "jealous pinch" es forma americano. Hay que ajustarla asi que le da la misma sentido, o sea, communicarse la idea. Pero bueno, un jealous pinch es una gana insatisfecho. 
Heidita...Hi! What that says isn't what it says, which is why it gives you confusion. It's not a pinch in the strict sense of the word, but more like when you are on a diet and see someone eating a flan or a big hunk of chocolate cake with syrup. That feeling isn't a pinch...es mas como una gana insatisfecho...a itch that you can't scratch.
..que sentía ese anhelo, deseo, ansia de querer cosas que.....
I hope this helps, no good translation for that phrase.
I have been searching and you posted on WR I guess, pellizco has nothing to do with it, you are right, silly suggestion.
It is similar to saying "I was really in a pinch." It usually refers to somewhat of a desperate situation. In this case, they were desperately jealous to have the things that people in large families can not afford. You might have to translate using other words to describe this emotion.
