No es una fuente solvente

Question

Does that work? Should it be "fuente solvente" sin artículo? o quizás solo funciona en el modo plural? Como "fuentes solventes"?

She's not a reliable source. Gracias.

Answer 1

No I don't. Our dictionary lists solvente as "reliable" and says "fuentes" next to it.

Well, don't take my word for it. The RAE says:

solvente.

(Del ant. part. act. de solver; lat. solvens, -entis).

1. adj. Que resuelve.
2. adj. Desempeñado de deudas.
3. adj. Capaz de satisfacerlas.
4. adj. Que merece crédito.
5. adj. Capaz de cumplir una obligación, un cargo, etc., y más en especial, capaz de cumplirlos cuidadosa y celosamente.
6. adj. Quím. Dicho de una sustancia: Que puede disolver y producir con otra una mezcla homogénea. U. t. c. s.

Real Academia Española © Todos los derechos reservados

You decide.

I agree it's solvent, of course, but why does our dictionary say "reliable" and "fuentes" next to it? Who wrote our dictionary anyway? - jeezzle, May 22, 2011

Dunno. I use SD's dictionary a lot as a generally good, quick reference. But I always take it with a grain of salt. - Gekkosan, May 22, 2011

I'm with you, Gekko. For anything that might be subtle, I like to have several different resources to check. - babs_irish, May 22, 2011

I try to use the RAE and I am getting pretty close to fluent, but if I miss one key word, or interpret one thing wrong then that changes the whole meaning, so it's tough to use an all spanish dictionary despite my generally good knowledge of the language. - jeezzle, May 22, 2011

You can use SD's dictionary to get the general idea, and then the DRAE to check details, for example. - Gekkosan, May 22, 2011

Answer 2

Tal vez no sea una fuente "solvente" este diccionario aquí.

Ha. Good one. ;) - jeezzle, May 22, 2011

:-) - babs_irish, May 22, 2011

Answer 3

In defense of Jeezzle (and the dictionary), my Larousse also lists solvente as reliable, figuratively, for sources (fuentes).

Answer 4

Reliable????? Are you going to lend her money?

Of information, like I can't get it out of her. - jeezzle, May 22, 2011

Like the rest of the words in Spanish and English, just because they agree in one sense doesn't mean they agreein all of them. - lorenzo9, May 22, 2011

Answer 5

In a very formal style, you can say "fuente fidedigna", but if your information source is not specific, you can say "información de fiar" (or fidedigna).

In general, "no es de fiar" is probably the most common way of saying "not a reliable source".

added to flashcards. - jeezzle, May 22, 2011

Answer 6

No. Solvente means solvent, financially secure. You mean: Una fuente confiable.

Answer 7

No. Solvente means solvent, financially secure. You mean: Una fuente confiable.

No I don't. Our dictionary lists solvente as "reliable" and says "fuentes" next to it.

Is it wrong then? Reliable sources is only "fuentes confiables" and not "fuentes solventes"? Dang now I have to go update my flashcards, I hate our dictionary.

Regardless of the dictionary, I understand "solvente" as "capable of making payments", like Gekko. - lazarus1907, May 22, 2011

No, it just doesn't mean reliable source of anything other than money. - lorenzo9, May 22, 2011

I have never heard solvent used in that sense in the entirety of my life, as say what you will I am quite well read. - jeezzle, May 22, 2011

That is odd: solvency and the ability to provide money were widely discussed not too long ago during the bank bailouts and the collapse of the real estate market. Perhaps you need to read a little bit more. - lorenzo9, May 23, 2011