Why does not q translate in a sentence?
My girlfriend is Colombian and I have trouble chatting with her extended family, I have been told they speak Español, and a lot of what I translate doesn't make sense and vice versa. Example: "El hombre no sabe de lo q se esta perdiendo hasta q no conoce.
Translates as "The man does not know what's missing q until q do not know". The q does not translate. This sentence has translated well apart from the q. So I once again don't know what is being said.
I'm lucky at times to get 80% to translate. It is making me think I will never learn to converse or write to my future in-laws in their native tongue. Am I really just waisting my time?. If 3 sources can't work it out, how am I going to. Happy days. John
4 Answers
q is a shortcut for writing que. You will also often see "k" as que is pronounced like when says the letter K.
Welcome to the forum, John.
The reason you can't find it in the dictionary is because it's shorthand for "que."
Webdunce and Mariana are telling you that you need to spell out abbreviations. Q or sometimes K would be spelled que or qué.
I would like to add that you need to begin learning Spanish so you can use the translator successfully. The answers it gives are often crazy. You can click on Learn Spanish on this page to find lessons.
Texting strikes again.
