When to use Singular or Plural

Question

In the song "Después de ti" by Ednita Nazario, there is a phrase "... me dieron ganas de morir," which is translated - I felt like dying. I am having difficulty comprehending this translation because of the following questions: 1) Since the song is about two lovers breaking up, "Me dieron," which translates - They gave me- seems wrong, since one lover talking to the other would singular, not plural. 2) "ganas" - to win, to earn, doesn't seem to fit; "fieltro" would seem a better choice. In my ignorance, the sentence would seem to say - They gave me a win of dying.

¿PodrIa alguien aclararme? Muchos Gracias.

Jim

Answer 1

That's "Muchas Gracias".

What were the words before "me dieron ganas de morir"? Which I translate as "they made me feel like dying" Song translations are most often not word for word, it is all in the context.

Answer 2

Aunque fue una guerra quererte y perdi las fuerzas para seguir, aunque me arrastro la corriente y me dieron ganas de morir, me salve de tu amor del dolor. Aprendi que hay una vida despues de ti...

The understood "they" of dieron, I personally believe, is referring back to the "war to love you" and the "current (of love?) that dragged (her) along" or possibly it refers to all the negative aspects of the now-terminated relationship with this other person.

But...maybe not...I don't know that you can necessarily pin it down.

I agree. - --Mariana--, Jul 16, 2011

It could also be a kind of set way of saying "I felt like dying" just like "Me han dicho que..." means "I have heard that..." - webdunce, Jul 16, 2011

Answer 3

"Me dieron ganas de" = I felt like

Me dieron ganas de comer una manzana: I felt like eating an apple.

It's not literal translation. I hope that helps

¡Gracias! - webdunce, Jul 16, 2011

Answer 4

You'd have to tell me what came before "dieron" so I can tell you why it's plural.

"Tener ganas" de hacer algo = I have the wish/desire/urge to do something. It's an expression....

Tengo ganas de comer = I feel like eating.

Answer 5

Me dieron ganas de morir.

Literally - Desires to die were given to me.

Ganas de morir is the subject and that's why dieron is plural.

Me - is the indirect object.

Hmmm...I think you may be right. If so, I think here then that dar means perseguir (a possible meaning for dar). I.e., Desires of dying torment me. - webdunce, Jul 17, 2011

I say that because Desires of dying were given to me = Se me dieron ganas de morir (as I understand it, anyway). - webdunce, Jul 17, 2011

"ganas" is the direct object of "dieron". The subject is not expressed. - samdie, Jul 17, 2011