expression... lIghts are on but nobody is home

Question

The lights are on but nobody's home.

also, how do you say, don't worry, you are not in trouble.

Gracias

Answer 1

The first: Las luces están encendidas pero no hay nadie en casa. Second: No te preocupes, no estás en problemas.

Answer 2

I found this version (not saying where, "heh heh...")

"Las luces aprendidas, pero nadie en casa"

and how about:

"No te preocupes, ¡no pasa nada!"

...my two-cents worth!

Answer 3

I'm sure that you are aware of it, but "The lights are on, but nobody is home" is often used figuratively to mean that a person is conscious, but dazed or that the person is paying attention, but not comprehending what is being said. The literal Spanish translation would not carry the idiomatic meaning.

Another context:

The lights are on but nobody's/no-one's home. (humorous)

something that you say when you think someone is stupid, or when someone does not react because they are thinking about something else It's no good expecting John to say anything. The lights are on but no-one's home.

That being said...I'm curious, what would the figurative translation be then? :-) - musicat, Jan 28, 2012