some translation problems (how original : - ( )

Question

I translated some sentences, but have some severe doubts whether they are correct. Help is greatly appreciated.

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He regrets that he chose the aisle seat over the window seat.
Lamenta que eligió el asiento de pasillo sobre el asiento de la ventana.

Is 'elegir sobre' correct?

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By waking up this morning, I started the first day of the rest of my life .... a new life.

Al despertarme esta mañana, empecé el primer día del resto de mi vida .... una nueva vida.

Should it be 'Despertándome esta mañana ....'???

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The rich lady gave a handout of 10 eurocents to the beggar and told him to spend it wisely.

La señora rica le dio una limosna de 10 céntimos de euro al mendigo y le dijo que gastarlo prudente.

or: que tenía que gastarlo ..???

:) - -cae-, Nov 22, 2012

Answer 1

He regrets that he chose the aisle seat over the window seat. - Él lamenta haber elegido el asiento del pasillo en lugar del asiento de la ventana.

By waking up this morning, I started the first day of the rest of my life .... a new life. - Al despertarme esta mañana, empecé el primer día del resto de mi vida .... una nueva vida.

The rich lady gave a handout of 10 eurocents to the beggar and told him to spend it wisely. - La señora rica le dio una limosna de 10 centavos de euro al mendigo y le dijo que los usara con prudencia.

¡uhu! - mcl020, Nov 23, 2012

;-) ilu mcl =P - -cae-, Nov 23, 2012

Thankx a lot! (for the sentences)!! - mcl020, Nov 23, 2012

Answer 2

I would expect lamentar que to be followed by the subjunctive:

Lamenta que hubiera elegido el asiento de pasillo en vez del asiento de la ventana.

But when there's no change of subject the subjunctive is avoided by using the infinitive and I believe this is the most usual way to translate your sentence, but see what the native speakers say..... I'm still learning too

Lamenta haber elegido .....

Thanks a lot, Kiwi-Girl. - mcl020, Nov 23, 2012

:) - Kiwi-Girl, Nov 23, 2012

Answer 3

La señora rica le dio una limosna de 10 céntimos de euro al mendigo y le dijo que gastarlo prudente.

I'd say: que lo gaste con prudencia or que los gaste prudentemente

Thanks aileribel and yes, you're right: 'gastar' should have been conjugated as well. - mcl020, Nov 22, 2012

Answer 4

He regrets that he chose the aisle seat over the window seat -se lamenta que elegió el asiento del pasillo en vez del asiento de ventana

By waking up this morning, I started the first day of the rest of my life .... a new life. - Al despertarme esta mañana, empecé el primer día del resto de mi vida .... una vida neuva.

Thank you! Thank you! - mcl020, Nov 23, 2012

Answer 5

I see no more faults now (but unfortunately my Spanish still isn't as good as I would like it to be):

Lamenta que eligió el asiento de pasillo en vez del asiento de la ventana.

Al despertarme esta mañana, empecé el primer día del resto de mi vida .... una nueva vida.

La señora rica le dio una limosna de 10 céntimos de euro al mendigo y le dijo que gastarlo con prudencia.

Answer 6

"elegir sobre" - I don't know but I'd go for "en vez de" instead of "sobre".

"Despertandome" - I like it better with "Al" but I think either will do.

"que gastarlo - I think "tenia que" sounds a tad laboured. However, "prudente" is an adjective where you need an adverb to qualify "gastar" so I'd use "prudentemente".

Your suggestions are really useful! 'En vez de' sounds a lot better and you're right with 'prudente' - mcl020, Nov 22, 2012

Thanks a lot for your suggestions, geofc! As I said: highly appreciated. - mcl020, Nov 22, 2012