" Las calamidades son de dos tipos ," Translation exercise.

Question

Las calamidades son de dos tipos, mala suerte a nosotros, y buena suerte a otros.

Calamities are of two kinds, Bad luck to us , and good luck to others .

Please correct me . I find this rather cynical , but it may have currency in some camps .

Answer 1

I think the translation is good! Just add "las" in front of "Calamidades"

As far as my opinion on the matter, I think I agree for the most part. When good fortune happens to others, I think that we get jealous. However, it is different if you are not involved in the matter. If it is your son´s spelling bee and he wins, of course you will be pleased at his good fortune. However, if your best friend wins a new car in a contest you also participated in, you´d be pretty angry.

Wonderful missy , that is how i feel , when it happens to someone close to you then ones reactions are different . - ray76, Mar 22, 2012

We must try to be equally happy when someone has good fortune , but commiserate with feeling when they are in dire straights. - ray76, Mar 22, 2012

I agree with ray76! We should strive to be happy when others have good fortune. It makes us shinier, better people. - robinflight, Mar 22, 2012

Of course I agree with you two. However...it can be easier said than done! - missy8888, Mar 23, 2012

Answer 2

La calamidad palabra se utiliza para describir una gran desgracia o una aflicción grevious. Todavía no he encontrado con esta palabra se usa como un término para la buena suerte.

Es un modismo. No es una traducción literal...significa más que dicen las palabras que ves - missy8888, Mar 22, 2012

thank you Joyce i did have trouble with the word but I felt it was better than say " disaster " which can have a more sinister meaning - ray76, Mar 22, 2012

But the bottom line must be , what is normal usage of these terms , this is where we are lucky to be able to hear from so many different Spanish speakers. - ray76, Mar 22, 2012

Answer 3

Calamities are of two kinds, Bad luck to us , and good luck to others

Hay dos típos de calamidades: la mala suerte nuestra y la buena suerte de otra gente.

That's my suggestion. I think your translation works fine!

La buena suerte de otra gente, a veces, nos hace daños.

Se dice que no hay mal que por bien no venga, pero prefería tener un poco de suerte en mi vida.

Only I wish my boat would soon come in.. - annierats, Mar 23, 2012