Why do I even try?
1
vote
¿Por qué incluso intento?
Is incluso right in this context? Is there a more idiomatic way of saying it?
1926 views
updated Sep 4, 2010
posted by KevinB
3 Answers
2
votes
"incluso" means "even", in the sense of "including". For example: "all the food was delicious, even the lettuce (including the lettuce)" - "Toda la comida estuvo deliciosa, incluso la lechuga".
If you are wedded to using a word for "even" in that context, go with "siquiera".
On the other hand, it might sound more smooth to not do a direct translation. Something like "por qué me molesto en intentar?" ("why do I bother to try?") would be commonly heard.
updated Sep 4, 2010
posted by mountaingirl123
You don't think aún works? I rarely hear siquiera not used in a negative way. - jeezzle, Sep 3, 2010
That's what I thought, but the translators insisted on it, as did the dictionary. I like your idiomatic phrase much better. - KevinB, Sep 3, 2010
Well, good question...I think it could, now that I ponder it. Heidita!!!????????????? - mountaingirl123, Sep 3, 2010
"Siquiera" is used in that context, but it's not a common structure without the "ni", you are right. - mountaingirl123, Sep 3, 2010
1
vote
I would go with aún. Incluso sounds way weird to me.
updated Sep 3, 2010
posted by jeezzle
That looks better, too - KevinB, Sep 3, 2010
1
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Por qué intento siquiera?
maybe? Can anyone tell me if this is right?
updated Sep 3, 2010
posted by amyfreelance
That sounds closer - KevinB, Sep 3, 2010
