No tienes un pelo...

Question

Yesterday I asked about a phrase I didn't understand.I also didn't have the whole thing.(I still don't).However, today I boldy asked her to repeat it. I thought it was bad but it turns out it's not. It is more like "No tienes un pelo de tonto ". She doesn't know enough English to tell me what it means.She says it the opposite of what I thought. Something along the lines of me not being an idiot. What a fantastic revelation. It is refreshing because I was hurt at the time. Good thing she doesn't know that I really am an Idiot.Thanks to all ,if you know the full phrase please answer.

Answer 1

I think a good way to translate this would be: You don't have a stupid bone in your body.

Right. That's another way to say the same thing. webdunce read your mail. :) - chileno, May 19, 2011

Answer 2

"No tienes ni un pelo de tonto(a)." is translated as "You are not a fool" or more accurately "You have nothing of foolish".

"Pelo" means "hair" - so more literally she told you, "You don't have a hair of stupidity." In other words, she thinks you don't have even the littlest bit of stupidity. A good compliment. - CharlieMcKeon, May 19, 2011

Thanks,Eukor. I was happy it turned out to be a compliment.I thought it was bad. - heliotropeman, May 19, 2011

I know, I just didn't know if hair can be used as singular, as in "one single hair" or if there's an other word for that. That's why I didn't give the literal translation. - Eukor, May 19, 2011

"Tonto" is not "Stupid," it's foolish or silly in its adjective form. - 005faa61, May 19, 2011

It doesn't help any that I shave my head too. - heliotropeman, May 19, 2011

I'll edit to change "stupid" for "fool", thanks for the correction. - Eukor, May 19, 2011

We have a similar phrase: You don't have a {algún adjectivo} bone in your body. - webdunce, May 19, 2011

Answer 3

The complete phrase is "No tienes ni un pelo de tonto(a)."

Similar to the English expression, you are nobodies fool. - MaryMcc, May 19, 2011

Thanks,Julian.( You too Wilbur) - heliotropeman, May 19, 2011

Answer 4

I agree with Wilbur's comment "you are nobody's fools"

Thank You. - heliotropeman, May 19, 2011

Answer 5

Yo tampoco

Answer 6

When I read the question, I thought it said You don't have a hair... as in calvo. lol

The funny thing is I don't Well actually it's not funny. - heliotropeman, May 19, 2011