Tenerle Antipatía a Alguien

Question

Hello Everyone!

Can someone help explain to me how to understand what to do with a verb when it is expressed like this in it's "infinitive" definition form (if that makes sense)

for example, I understand that Tenerle Antipatía a Alguien means *To Have it in for Someone**; but what I am unsure of is then how to express that in a sentence.

For instance, if I wanted to ask someone "do you have it in for your ex-boyfriend?"; would I say --> ¿Le tiene (usted) antipatía a su ex-novio?

And thus, if I wanted to say "I had it in for you when we were living together a few years ago"; would I say (Yo) Te tenía antipatía (a tí) cuando vivíamos juntos hace unos años ??

Gracias por la ayuda

ti carries no accent mark. - 0074b507, Jan 6, 2012

Answer 1

Gringo says:

But antipatía means "to dislike" which in my mind is less severe than "to have it in for someone"

I agree that there's room for interpration. In my case, I'm more inclined to translate this instance as "I have an aversion against somebody", but certainly context determines the intensity of dislike.

In any event, your last example should be: "Yo te tenía antipatía cuando vivíamos juntos..." I disliked you then, I had an aversion against you, I was not fond of you.

Thank's so much for the thorough explanation and suggestion, Gekko. It is much appreciated - riverphoenix1970, Jan 6, 2012

I agree. The expression "have it in for someone" can vary in intensity with the context. - Izanoni1, Jan 6, 2012

Answer 2

Sounds like you are using tenerle correctly. But antipatía means "to dislike" which in my mind is less severe than "to have it in for someone". But maybe that is a cultural difference.

Thank you for your suggestion :) - riverphoenix1970, Jan 6, 2012

Answer 3

To be honest with you, I have never use that word in that form. It is very common to hear or to say.

• ¡Que antipático ese tipo!,
• ¡Que mujer tan antipática! or,
• ¡Tu eras muy antipático/a cuando eras más joven!

All of the above are just telling you or some one, how unpleasant a person is or was. Antipático/a is a person you dislike, a person you do not want to be around, his/her personality clashes with yours, etc.

Thank you for the info! - riverphoenix1970, Jan 7, 2012

Answer 4

Unless you're very proficient as aspeaker, I think, go with the words that are there . To have it in for somebody, to me is miles, miles stronger than just disliking them. I dislike my mother-in-law, to be honest, but I don't have it in for her.. I now an answer has been accepted already so this is a waste of time.

It's not a waste of time, I appreciate everyone's input. I just interpreted it as "to have it in for someone" because that's what my dictionary said lol - riverphoenix1970, Jan 6, 2012

I very often post comments even long after an answer has been accepted. While the person who posted the question may be satisfied with the answer, further comments and debate are always interesting and useful. Please don't let that stop you! - Gekkosan, Jan 6, 2012

Great point, Gekko! - riverphoenix1970, Jan 7, 2012