Confusing English Words Challenge 21

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 the words - casualty / coincidence / chance

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 3 sentences in both Languages that illustrate how the the following are used.

a) casualty

b) coincidence

c) chance

Futher explanation as to the different meanings may be given.

Please do not suggest new words.

Answer 1

The local store was a casualty of the expanding supermarkets.

La tienda local fue una victima de los supermercados en expansión.

Meeting my husband was no coincidence; my friends planned it.

Conocer a mi marido no fue una casualidad; mis amigas lo planearon.

I have no chance of winning the lottery because I don't play.

No tengo ni oportunidad de ganar la lotería porque no participo en ella.

Interesting that English uses the word for coincidence to mean a victim of war or terrorism. I thought Spanish people were more fatalistic than we are. - Marsviking, Jun 19, 2011

Answer 2

Take their land, but make sure there are no casualties.

Apodérate de su[s] tierra[s], pero asegúrate de que no haya bajas/víctimas.

What a coincidence! We both have the same husband!

¡Qué casualidad/coincidencia! ¡Ambas tenemos el mismo esposo!

If by [any] chance we meet again, I will kiss you.

Si por casualidad nos encontramos otra vez, te besaré.

Take a chance on me.

Dame una oportunidad.

The chances of that happening are next to nil.

Las probabilidades de que eso pase son casi inexistentes.

Great Tom - but I think "take a chance ON me" = take a risk with me. "dame una oportunidad" = give me a chance / opportunity - ian-hill, Jun 14, 2011

Hola, Ian. I was simply translating an idiomatic expression with an equivalent one in Spanish, to preserve the tone and intent. - 002067fe, Jun 16, 2011

Answer 3

1.- They were all casualtiesvictims of the same thief.

-Todos ellos fueron víctimas del mismo ladrón.

2.-Being there at the same time and in the same place was not a coincidence, it was destiny.

-Estar ahí al mismo tiempo y en el mismo lugar no fue una coincidencia, era el destino.

3.-He's got no chances to beat him in the game.

-Él no tiene oportunidad de vencerlo en el juego.

I'm not sure if I'm using correctly the word in the first case, thanks for the exercise, it's great.

Generally we'd say "victims of the same thief" and "casualties of war, accident, natural disasters, etc." - --Mariana--, Jun 14, 2011

Typo= chance (singular) - --Mariana--, Jun 14, 2011

I see, very helpful, thanks Mairana. :) - Dakie, Jun 14, 2011

Answer 4

There were over 100 casualties from the earthquake and landslide.

Hubo más de 100 muertos víctimas por el terremoto y el corrimiento de tierra.

Are these natural disasters connected or are they just a coincidence?

¿Son estas catástrofes naturales relacionadas o son sólo una coincidencia?

The chance of being struck by lightning is higher than that of being killed by a shark.

La probabilidad de ser golpeado por un rayo es más que la de ser matado por un tiburón.

Nice but - casualties are not only those that die. - ian-hill, Jun 14, 2011

Just checked the dictionary and you are (por supuesto) right. I always used it mean "deaths." Changing "muertos" to "víctimas". - LaBurra, Jun 14, 2011

Answer 5

Here are some examples

casualty víctima / baja

heavy casualties / numerosas víctimas

a casualty of the recession / una víctima de la recesión

civilian casualties / bajas civiles

to inflict casualties / causar bajas

coincidence casualidad

by coincidence / por casualidad

It is no coincidence that he made the announcement today. No es casualidad que haya hecho el anuncio hoy.

chance azar

to leave nothing to chance / no dejar nada al azar

a game of chance un juego de azar

casualidad

Did anyone phone by any chance? / ¿Ha llamado alguien por casualidad?

oportunidad

Give me a chance to explain. / Dame la oportunidad de que te explique.

Answer 6

Anymore takers for this one?

If not I will do another one.