"be home by midnight,or else!''

Question

There are many phrases and exclamations that simply don't translate. In English we have "'or else'' for example. In context, it could "be home by midnight,or else!'' I have not encountered a spanish equivalent for this expression. Please comment. Many thanks

HI paco, the words directly into the title, thanks - 00494d19, Dec 30, 2010

Answer 1

There may not be direct word-for-word translations, but there are nearly always equivalents.

"Or else..."

"O si no..."

"O...."

"O atente a las consecuencias...."

Gekkosan: i like your 4th option the best. Tiene "fuerza"', Muchas Gracias. - pacofinkler, Dec 30, 2010

Answer 2

Keep in mind that in the end, we're trying to communicate thoughts. And while it may be that one cannot find an exact, word-for-word translation from one language to another for a given phrase, the thought can always be translated.

Sometimes it requires the use of paraphrase on the part of the translators. But that is always true of any translation project of more than a sentence or two.

In your example, I think Mountaingirl has given a pretty useful version of "or else", but if that expression didn't exist, I can assure you that there is a way in Spanish to tell your young son that he'd better do something a certain way or very bad things will happen.

Answer 3

Since no native speakers have weighed in, I will suggest a phrase that I hear..."y si no".

Answer 4

Good, Goyo! I always wonder why people want word-for-word translations when It's the communication of ideas that is important. Consequences is the idea communicated by "or else".

I was not seeking a ''literal'' or word for word translation, but an ''equivalent ''expression with equal force. - pacofinkler, Dec 30, 2010