Les ha tocado vivir

Question

Hi all,

I'm reading this article and having a problem with 'les ha tocado vivir', what's that mean?

......no permanecen callados ante el mundo que les ha tocado vivir: dicen lo que piensan, caiga quien caiga.

They don't remain silent before the world that has touched their lives???, they say what they think, no matter who might fall.

Thanks.

Answer 1

It´s more like saying "....... the world, which has given them their turn to speak."

Thank you, Julian - SpanishPal, Aug 31, 2011

Answer 2

Ever heard of the expression "touch wood" and "fortune touches someone"? Well, in Spanish we use this metaphor where "fortune" goes around "touching" the people and determining their fate. "Le ha tocado vivir..." means that living in a period of time has been someone's fate according to this touch of fortune. In other words, that's what you got for being born at that time.

The world that has determined their destiny?? - SpanishPal, Aug 31, 2011

Answer 3

el mundo que les ha tocado vivir

the world in which they happen to live?

• just another thought lol

Answer 4

This is purely opinion as I am a beginner in Spanish but in the context of the whole sentence I would say it is "They do not remain silent before the world in which they live: they say what they think whatever the consequences"

Answer 5

Reviving! Any more opinions, please.