No te metas en mi camino

Question

I was watching an English movie that had been dubbed in Spanish, and one of the characters used this expression—no te metas en mi camino—to mean something along the lines of "don't get in my way" or "stay out of my way."

As I am generally a bit leery when it comes to trusting the veracity of translated expressions that I come across in dubbed over movies (especially when taking into account the general lack of standard the movie industry tends to have in this regard), I was just wondering whether this (the Spanish) expression is commonly used in this way or not.

Thanks in advance for any help you might be able to give me on this one.

Answer 1

As you probably know, I am from Spain, and where I come from, that expression is extremely common. The 'se' can't be omitted, of course, because otherwise you would be putting (something not mentioned) in my way, instead of blocking my way [with your own body].

But you are right: the movie industry doesn't give a "straw" about correct grammar. One of the James Bond movies had a scene that supposedly happened in my city, Seville, in Spain. The police was meant to shout "Don't move!" (in subjunctive), but instead they shouted (with a foreign accent): "They don't move!" (incorrectly using indicative), making us all laugh! Actually, it is pretty sad, considering that around Hollywood more than 70% speak Spanish.

Thanks so much for the confirmation - Izanoni1, Jan 20, 2011

I am from Latin America, and I agree completely with Lazarus. It's the same expression. - Gekkosan, Jan 20, 2011

Gekkosan, I think it is about time you mention what part of Latin America, as I have entire books written by grammarians from Latin America describing the huge differences between Latin American countries. - lazarus1907, Jan 20, 2011

He lives on a small island, Gilligans Island I think it was called. - jeezzle, Jan 20, 2011

Thanks gekko. - Izanoni1, Jan 20, 2011

Not to deviate from the theme of evolution that was present in one of the earlier threads, I am going to posit that he must be from one of the Galapogos islands. Where else but there could you find such a compelling example of speciation that.... - Izanoni1, Jan 20, 2011

...takes the form of a six-foot tall talking lizard (who is fluent in more than one language I might add). When you consider the variety of lizards that are found on all the other islands, you my friend are a stunning example of speciation at its finest - Izanoni1, Jan 20, 2011

Ya big green mutated lizard you ;-P - Izanoni1, Jan 20, 2011

Yeah, these mutants... ! - lazarus1907, Jan 20, 2011

:-) See? We couldn't possibly have these wonderful exchanges if I just plain revealed my deepest and darkest secrets!! - Gekkosan, Jan 20, 2011

Answer 2

It sounds exactly like "don't get in my way" to me.

Answer 3

"They don't move!" (incorrectly using indicative), making us all laugh! Actually, it is pretty sad, considering that around Hollywood more than 70% speak Spanish."

It's even sadder when you consider what often happens when you also select the subtitles option. You are often provided with two distinct translations, one spoken and one written—and both often wrong at points.

I have read the subtitles provided for some movies and just thought sadly to myself, "Are these people using an automatic translator or what?"

I think some of the DVD industries use an automatic translator and then some illiterate makes a brief proofreading. - mediterrunio, Jan 20, 2011

However, some movies are really hard to subtitile. - mediterrunio, Jan 20, 2011