"I can tell that..."

Question

How do you say "I can tell..." in Spanish, such as in the following context:

"I can tell that you studied a lot for your test."

"I can tell that he loves her very much."

In other words, "I can tell" means "It's obvious." Should I just use "Es obvio" or "Es evidente que..."?

Answer 1

''I can tell that you studied a lot for your test''

• ''Se nota que estudiaste mucho para el examen.''

''I can tell that he loves her very much''

• ''Se nota que la ama mucho.''

This is just a general term. ''Se nota''. You asked for a translation of ''I can tell'', which would be more like puedo notar. But ''se nota'' gives the idea you are looking for.

(See other comments for a more complete list of terminology)

Perfect! Thanks! - missy8888, Aug 29, 2012

Good! - annierats, Aug 29, 2012

Answer 2

''Se nota que estudiaste mucho por el examen'' indicates that the exam was used in conjuntion with the process of studying. Para should be used here.

I agree that "obvio" and "evidente" are also other options, but in this case "evidente" sounds a bit clinical. Also in daily speech (not writing), it´s common to use "obvio" without its preceeding verb, ie: "Obvio que estudiaste ......"

Oh, i didn´t even notice that. Thanks. Por would change the meaning of what she wanted translated.+10 kudos for you :) - Ox-Y-Gen, Aug 29, 2012

Answer 3

---

"This is just a general term. ''Se nota''. You asked for a translation of ''I can tell'', which would be more like puedo notar. But ''se nota'' is more like ''It´s apparent''."

---

I think that a better translation would be "one notices/it shows/it's noticeable" No se nota un acento extranjero = A foreign accent isn't noted/noticeable -or- It doesn't show, a foreign accent.

It's a bit more like poetry.

No se notó un riesgo grave = A serious risk wasn't noted/perceived/foreseen -or- It wasn't noted/perceived/foreseen, a serious risk.

You could also say that "Se puede observar que" [one can observe that] "Es claro que" [It's clear that] "Se sobreentiende que" [One can see that]

You can also say "Veo que" ¡Veo que has estudiado muchísimo para tu examen!

"Resulta aparente que" Resulta aparente que has estudiado mucho para tu examen.

"Esto se nota particularmente en el acento cubano." - This is particularly noticeable in the Cuban accent.

Instead of ''I can tell that you studied a lot for your test'' I'd say "It shows that you studied a lot for your test." etc

I see i´m going to have to put forward more of an effort before tossing out responses. Or you will pick them apart :P - Ox-Y-Gen, Aug 29, 2012

Answer 4

Yes, I don't think a litteral translation would work here. Parece que, es obvio, es evidente que look good to me.