Confusing English Words Challenge 15

Question

Algunas palabras en inglés pueden crear confusion en los principiantes.

Some words in English can be confusing for learners.

This one is to practice one word. - mean

Both native Spanish and English speakers may answer - but write both Spanish and English sentences.

I would appreciate some help in checking the Spanish sentences.

Agradecería una cierta ayuda en la comprobación de las oraciones españolas.

I will "accept" the best effort after about a week

Every attempt will get a vote.

NOTE - we would normally need at least 3 sentences in both Languages that illustrate how the the following is used.

a) mean (what does mean mean? - qué signifca mean? )

Futher explanation as to the different meanings may be given.

Please do not suggest new words.

Spanish has plenty of words for a skimpy English one. English has no precision. - Marsviking, May 25, 2011

I have no idea what you mean by that. Don't be mean, tell me what you really mean. :) - ian-hill, May 25, 2011

I think it is great that one word can mean so many different things. - MaryMcc, May 29, 2011

Answer 1

She means well, but the way she handles situations is just mean sometimes, if you know what I mean.

Tiene buenas intenciones, pero a veces la manera en que maneja las situaciones es simplemente mala, si me entiendes.

Answer 2

I mean it! I don't have the means to pursue a career in showbiz.

¡Lo digo en serio! No tengo los medios/recursos para continuar con una carrera en la industria del espectáculo.

Answer 3

mean some examples.

A dictionary tells you what words mean. / Un diccionario dice lo que significan las palabras.

Does the name Cristina Moreno mean anything to you? / ¿El nombre de Cristina Moreno te dice algo?

Money means nothing to me. / El dinero no me importa.

This new order will mean (us) working overtime. / Este nuevo sistema supone que vamos a hacer horas extra.

Being married doesn’t mean you lose your freedom. / El hecho de que te cases no implica que pierdas tu libertad.

What does he mean to do if he’s elected? / ¿Qué es lo que pretende hacer si sale elegido?

I really meant to do it but I forgot. / De verdad que quería hacerlo, pero se me olvidó.

I’m sorry I hurt you – I didn’t mean to. / Siento haberte hecho daño, ha sido sin querer.

Do you know what I mean? / ¿Sabes lo que quiero decir?

Do you mean to say you didn’t see him? / ¿Quieres decir que no lo viste?

I didn’t mean it. No lo dije en serio.

Is this meant to happen? / ¿Es esto lo que se supone que tiene que pasar?

It’s very warm, isn’t it? I mean, for this time of year. / Hace mucho calor, ¿no? Quiero decir, para esta época del año.

That was a mean trick! / Eso ha sido un truco sucio.

He certainly is a mean guitarist. / Es un guitarrista extraordinario.

That was no mean achievement. / Fue un logro nada desdeñable.

Mean annual temperature / temperatura media anual

Answer 4

¿Qué significa cuando dices que soy una persona mala?

What do you mean when you say I am a mean person?

'significas - Felixlynx, May 25, 2011

Nope, tosh is right. He is literally saying "What does it mean when you say..."."¿Qué significas..." would be "what do you mean [for him/for her]? - 002067fe, May 25, 2011

The alternative would be "¿Qué quieres decir?", not "¿Qué significas?" - 002067fe, May 25, 2011

Thanks Tom - ian-hill, May 25, 2011

I thought about putting "¿Qué quieres decir...", but I felt "¿Qué significa..." was better to explain "What do you mean". "¿Qué quieres decir..." seems more like "What do you want to say...". - Tosh, May 25, 2011

"¿Qué quieres decir..." is one way of saying "what do you mean" though. - ian-hill, May 25, 2011

Yep. "¿Qué quieres decir..." may be work as a literal translation of ""What do you want to say?", but it is generally "What do you mean". - 002067fe, May 25, 2011

I guess that makes sense! :) - Tosh, May 25, 2011

So many meaning for mean, claro. Don't forget the mean in statistics, which is a fancy word for the average, such as the mean income of the inhabitants of a city. - Marsviking, May 25, 2011

Answer 5

This whole thing is just a means to an end.

Todo esto es sólo un método para llegar a un propósito.