I'll never let you?

Question

How would you tell someone that you won't let them/ will let them do something? I wasn't sure if the subjunctive would be involved or not.

For example: I will never let you sweep me off my feet.

He will let her go to the party.

Answer 1

I would say, instead of the conditional, I would use the future tense or even the simple present tense to refer to this:

He will let her go to the party:

Le permitirá/dejará ir a la fiesta.

To seep someone off their feet is an idiomatic expression, so it's not really a good example. In Spanish, there is really no equivalent that makes sense, except for the literal meaning, "to fall hopelessly in love with someone." So perhaps a better example might be: I will never let you get near me.

Nunca te dejaré/permitiré (Or, alternatively, "nunca te dejo/permito") acercarme.

The present, used in this sense, signifies something that will (or, in this case, will not) happen in the future. It's hard for me to explain. This link may help you more than I could:

About.com Spanish- Future Events

Thanks! I didn't think the one about sweeping someone off their feet would have a literal translation so thanks for posting an alternative way to say that - kdfore, Jul 29, 2012

Answer 2

I find it very hard to believe that this idiom would be translated as "me barres de mis pies." I have never heard it, and it just sounds silly (to me).

If you want to translate an idiom you almost always have to translate the meaning, not the words. This means that something like "me vuelves loco" would be a much better equivalent of "you sweep me off my feet."

I agree with nuestra querida Calabacita on this one.

I know...I agree :) Sounds crazy doesn't it? la idea me vuelve loco. - viejito, Jul 29, 2012

Answer 3

He will let her go to the party. Le (permitirá/dejará) ir a la fiesta.

okay thank you :) - kdfore, Jul 29, 2012

Answer 4

If you are in fact making the statement as a command…than the subjunctive will be used. Check your translator ladies!

If it’s your wish that someone else does or doesn’t do something…(even if that wish is inferred) than the subjunctive is required in the subordinate clause.

I will never let you sweep me off my feet.

Nunca te permitiré que me barras de mis pies. “check your translator ladies”

HOWEVER----

He will let her go to the party.

This is not a direct or indirect command. There is no hidden wish implied/inferred.

A simple staement is being made. Le permitirá ir a la fiesta.