No tengo ni ganas ni el poder para cambiar nada

Question

Is that right or is it "No tengo ni la voluntad ni el poder para cambiar ni una sencilla cosa / una sóla cosa? Gracias.....

Answer 1

No tengo ni ganas ni el poder para cambiar nada = I don't feel like nor have the power to change anything

I can parse the second sentence, but it kind of falls apart towards the end for me. I'd just substitute la voluntad for ganas in the first sentence for something a little more formal/poetic.

Frankly, I have an emotional dislike of the word "voluntad". It's one of Chavez' favorite words. People who oppose his policies are opposing the voluntad of the people. It's a shame, too. It's a perfectly good word.

De acuerdo. - jeezzle, Sep 20, 2010

Answer 2

This is a Colombian colloquialism. No power can make me do it! Ejemplo: " No me meto en ese discusion, ni por el verraco!" Or: "No voy a esa fiesta ni por el verraco!" Or it might mean, I'll do whatever it takes or nothing can stop me as in: Me subire esa montana por el verraco.