Sostener una goma de pelo

Question

The sentence reads "Mi chica siempre sostiene una goma de pelo mientras se recoge la melena". I understand the sentence but have trouble to find a correct translation for "sostiene". Should it be:

My girlfriend always holds an elastic hairband up when she gathers her hair (to fasten it with)

Is there any other English verb that could apply?

Thanks

Saludos, Chica

Answer 1

Hi Chica,

Grasps, clasps, clenches, squeezes, grips, braces...

Look up synonyms for "hold".

Hope this helps.

Thanks! - chicasabrosa, JUL 1, 2010

Synonyms, not antonyms... Oops. - LuisaGomezBartle, JUL 1, 2010

Answer 2

Well you could certainly use 'agarrar' in this case or in Spain 'coger' is fine. Mi niña siempre agarra..

Oh sorry didn't see 'girlfriend' - Mi novia siempre agarra una goma mientras recoge - margaretbl, JUL 1, 2010

Thanks, but van you think of any English verbs I can use? - chicasabrosa, JUL 1, 2010

Oh in English, sorry, yes this is where we get into the combo verbs: My gf always holds her hair up with a rubber band while she gathers it. - margaretbl, JUL 1, 2010

Answer 3

I think this is better translated as "my girlfriend always holds her hair up with an elastic band"

but surely that is not literally translated becaus "mientras" means she is still in the motion of gathering her hair. My question is, what exactly is she doing with the elastic band? Hold it up? - chicasabrosa, JUL 1, 2010

If you had seen my previous avatar, what I know about hair is zilch. - Eddy, JUL 1, 2010

hehehe I'm sorry to hear that ;) - chicasabrosa, JUL 1, 2010

Answer 4

As an alternative, how about "soportar" to carry the weight of the hair.

no, not correct - 00494d19, JUL 1, 2010