I'm having problems understanding "weather" in spanish.

Question

"Si el tiempo permite" is given as "if weather permits". How does one understand if you're saying "if time permits" or "if weather permits"? Please forgive me if this is an elementary question, I'm just starting to learn Spanish on my own by use of an old text, dictionary, and a friend that knows some Spanish.

Welcome to the forum! - foxluv, May 30, 2011

Answer 1

While reading a paragraph with that statement in it, it would be easy to tell the difference. While speaking the language, if you want to say two different things for "time" and "weather", then you can switch the second example with this:

Si tengo tiempo = If I have time

You wouldn't say "if I have weather", would you?

I know it seems hard because one spanish word can mean two or more completely different translations, but it's almost automatic with practice.

Answer 2

"Si el tiempo permite" is clearly understood as meaning the weather even without context because if the conversation were about time and using this same construction, there would not be an article with "tiempo."

And for "time permitting," it's much more common to say "Si tengo / hay tiempo, ......"

Thank you JC for clearing this one up. - Yeser007, May 30, 2011

Answer 3

Good question.

You can only tell by the context.

However...

This is uncommon in everyday usage (here in Mexico). In Mexico it would be more normal to say "si permite clima" for the weather.

Again, maybe not beautiful Spanish, but good solid street language.

Thank you, that's what I was really looking for. Many times I find the online translators vary from one to the other. This is a great forum and the first time I've asked a question. In the words of Arnold, A'll be baaack - seadog92, May 30, 2011

"If the climate permits?" This sounds very strange because the climate is a normal weather pattern pertaining to the seasons of a perticular place. It doesn't change daily as weather can. I've never heard this phrase in Mexico - 005faa61, May 30, 2011

Answer 4

Seadog, welcome to the forum. Personally I'm glad you asked that question because it has haunted me too. As far as context and dependant clauses, the other day Heidita asked if I was going diving this weekend and I did answer "sí, si el tiempo permite". Now I was in fact referring to the weather (which did not permit) but who is to say I wasn't saying "if time permits", there doesn't seem to be any indicator of context there. I just threw it out there hoping I was right.

poco a poco y lado a lado, vamos a aprender. :) - seadog92, May 30, 2011

that's the spirit!!! - Yeser007, May 30, 2011

Answer 5

Welcome, seadog,

It is an intelligent question.

You would have to determine which one it was by the context of the sentence. What is being said before or after is essential to know.

By the way, this does not have to do directly with your question, but si el tiempo permite is a "dependent clause" only, and not a true sentence. If there were a full sentence with the clause that might give you your answer.

being a dependent clause, then, I would use it as a response to someone, which would give the context of the sentance and usage. THANKS! Now I understand this. - seadog92, May 30, 2011

Yes, you certainly could use it as a response. In conversation, speaking with clauses and phrases rather than full sentences is done all the time! - NancyGrace, May 30, 2011

Answer 6

I am not an expert, but for time I would use "la hora" in the context you are using which would signify that "tiempo" would be for weather.