Jury Duty

Question

I just spent the day in jury duty and what I thought would be a very boring day turned out to be very enjoyable and rewarding!

Luckily, I sat next to a girl from Colombia. OK... it wasn't luck... I sought her out.

Neither one of us were ever called in to serve on a jury, so I was able to spend from 7:30am to 2:30pm speaking Spanish with her.

As always, the hardest part for me was understanding her. But even that seemed to get easier as the day went on. Maybe it was because I stopped trying to hear (and comprehend) every word in order to understand what she was saying.

¡Qué lástima que no puedo ir a actuar como jurado todos los días!

What's that "tener" in there for? - jeezzle, Nov 30, 2011

True... even though we say "I have jury duty"... I guess you don't actually "have" anything, huh? - Tosh, Nov 30, 2011

Better? Worse? - Tosh, Nov 30, 2011

¡Qué lástima que no puedo(a) actuar como jurado todos los días! or even (much) better just ¡Qué lástima que no puedo(a) ser jurado todos los días! - jeezzle, Nov 30, 2011

I don't understand the tener or the ir, please explain your reasoning so that I can see it in my mind. - jeezzle, Nov 30, 2011

"Jury duty" is a thing... I "have" jury duty this week. I have to "go to" jury duty this week. - Tosh, Nov 30, 2011

Since "actuar como jurado" = "jury duty", wouldn't it be "Tengo que ir a actuar como jurado" to mean "I have to go to jury duty"? - Tosh, Nov 30, 2011

Jurado = juror. You gotta see Tosh, that in Spanish many words have many meanings, to say "jurado" means "jury duty" but ignore the other meanings, causes issues. Jurado is also juror and really, that's what you want to say right? - jeezzle, Nov 30, 2011

to learn "actuar como jurado" as a phrase, ignores other aspects of the words, it really says "to act as a juror" - jeezzle, Nov 30, 2011

"Tengo que ir a actuar como jurado does seem workable but somewhat odd, but then what do I know - jeezzle, Nov 30, 2011

Much more than I do!! - Tosh, Nov 30, 2011

Well I wouldn't be surprised if a native came in here and told me I was completely wrong, but I think what I wrote is pretty good. (but what do I know, I'm just a learner too even if I used to think I had some good info to offer) - jeezzle, Nov 30, 2011

Well... I don't know what to put... if I was actually a "jurado" then I wouldn't have been sitting out there all day talking to her! :) - Tosh, Nov 30, 2011

Answer 1

Way to go Tosh!

¡Gracias! - Tosh, Nov 30, 2011

Answer 2

Next you'll be hanging out at airports where flights to central and south America may be delayed for hours... who knows??

Answer 3

Good for you, buddy!

Answer 4

I had written "Colombian chicks are the best" but it somehow got erased.

Answer 5

Luckily, I sat next to a girl from Colombia. OK... it wasn't luck... I sought her out.

I think that is something a lot of us do. Actually, in the U.S., especially in Florida, it is not too difficult to cross paths with a Spanish speaking person. It happens several times a day minimum where I live. But to have the reason or opportunity to spark up a conversation with a Spanish speaking native is sometimes awkward.

So I'm happy you had this opportunity. Anytime we get the opportunity in our daily lives to strengthen our Spanish muscles is a really good day!!!

Answer 6

I am happy for you my friend. It's important to take advance of any opportunity to improve your communication skills.

¡Qué lástima que no puedo ir a actuar como jurado todos los días!

Perfect! Ni yo lo hubiera dicho mejor

Answer 7

It´s always nice to share because both parties come away happy! Especially if jury duty was involved! Thanks for sharing, Tosh!!