How to use ''hala'' in a sentence?

Question

Would anyone help me out by giving me an example as to how to use ''hala'' in a sentence?

Edit: Adjusted for IE compatibility - DJ_Huero, Jun 2, 2011

Answer 1

And then there is this.

I was reading a book [Ramona la chinche] just this morning that kept using the verb hala where I was expecting jala. I suppose there is some interesting story on the alternate spellings, but I don't know it, just that the variation exists.

Probably a regional thing. I use "halar" exclusively and the first time I saw "jale" on a door I thought it was a mistake. - gintar77, Jun 2, 2011

Answer 2

You can use it in any situation in which you want to tell someone to "get a move on" or to show encouragement, such as "that's the way!" It can also be used to show surprise.

Examples: "¡Hala! ¡dale duro!" ... "¡Hala! ¿No te lo dije?" .... Or - this one is famous for soccer lovers - ¡Hala, Madrid!"

I hope this has helped.

Answer 3

The Dictionary of the Real Academia Española (DRAE) says:

halar.

(Del fr. haler).

1. tr. Mar. Tirar de un cabo, de una lona o de un remo en el acto de bogar.

2. tr. Andalucía, Costa Rica, Cuba, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panamá y Venezuela (and also in Mexico). Tirar hacia sí de algo.

So the correct spelling is "halar".

But the DRAE indludes also "jalar":

jalar.

(De halar).

1. tr. coloquialmente. halar (? tirar de un cabo).

2. tr. coloquialmente. tirar (? hacer fuerza para traer).

In America, we don´t say "halar", we say "jalar", with an aspirate "h", probably influenciated by the way this letter is pronounced in Andalucía. Colloquially, they say, for instance, "jondo", instead of "hondo", or "jiede", instead of "hiede".

Then, I think that we began to write the word as we pronounced it: "jalar". That is why on the doors you can see "jale" (pull).