don't be silly...

Question

Hi! I found this dialog in my English student's book:

1. The best music is Rap.
2. Don't be silly! The best is Rock music.

My question: isn't the expression "don't be silly" offensive? How could I translate it into Spanish? Since if I translate it as: no seas tonto it may result offensive.

ballsack - HalfBobby, Dec 17, 2010

Answer 1

Sillyness isn't necessarily ofensive, but the tone of voice would tell you for sure.

In Spanish and without ofense, I would say "No te hagas."

Answer 2

Qué tal: no estés de tonto / no digas tonterías

"No digas tonterías" es buena traducción también aunque tantito más fuerte que "don't be silly" - 005faa61, Dec 17, 2010

Perdonme, por favor, pero que es 'tantito'? - kokolatte, Dec 17, 2010

Tantito = un poco = just a little - 005faa61, Dec 17, 2010

Answer 3

No, "don't be silly" is not offensive. However, it is a phrase that would only be used in an informal setting. This is because "silly" is not a word that is meant to be taken seriously. It is actually a mild way of saying (to a friend) "I disagree."

However, "Don't be stupid" is very offensive. It could get you punched in the nose.

I agree with Echoline. If you wanted to offend someone, you would not use the word 'silly' - lkelly, Dec 17, 2010

Right on Echoline, I am often silly , but i do not want to be stupid , although I am capable of doing stupid things. That does not make me stupid . - ray76, Apr 25, 2011

I agree, too, Ray. It is OK to silly - sanlee, Apr 25, 2011

Answer 4

No seas bobo.

This one works best for me. In my side of the world, "No te hagas" would only draw blank looks and people would ask: "¿No te hagas qué?" Bobo is harmelss enough, perfectly equivalent to "silly" in this context. - Gekkosan, Dec 17, 2010

Gekk, it's common in Mexico and eliminates the need of labeling someone. Acting a certain way doesn't have to mean someone is a certain way - 005faa61, Dec 17, 2010

Answer 5

Also, you would not want to use "ser". This would mean "you are a silly person". "No estes tonto" would mean don't be or act silly.

Sound awful to me." No seas bobo/tonto." is much more common. - samdie, Dec 17, 2010

Answer 6

YO diría:

¡Anda ya!

¡Venga ya!

I'd add "¡Qué va!" to that list. - lazarus1907, Dec 17, 2010

Answer 7

No seas absurdo, o ridiuclo.

Answer 8

No actues tonto?