Hacer diligencias

Question

Hola a todos.

Bueno. En nuestro libro de texto hay la frase "Hacer diligencias" que al paracer, quiere decir "to run errands", pero, nuestro profesor cree nadie la uso. A él le parece muy raro. Qué piensan ellos? Hay un lugar or region en donde es normal usar esta frase?

Gracias.

Our textbook uses the phrase ¨Hacer diligencias¨ for the English phrrase ¨to run errands¨ or ¨to go on errands¨ but our professor says it´s a very unusual phrase that no one uses. It seems very strange to him. What do you all think? Is there a country, region, or place, where this phrase is normal?

(extra context: this is a very old, semi-retired, rather eccentric professor, who in general seems pretty out of touch - even though very good - so it´s hard to qualify his opinions)

Thanks

I thinkit can be used, but the meaning seems to vary quite a lot. - annierats, Apr 2, 2013

Good question - rodneyp, Apr 3, 2013

Answer 1

I have never heard "hacer diligencias" and it seems a bit formal to me.

"Tengo que hacer un mandado" is what I've heard.

Thanks Mariana. - rogspax, Apr 2, 2013

Answer 2

Hacer un mandado

hacer diligencias is more formal

Thanks Rey! - rogspax, Apr 2, 2013

Answer 3

How about hacer recados?

The SD dictionary had this:

hacerle los recados - to run errands for someone

Thanks Katy. - rogspax, Apr 2, 2013

That's what I use. - rodneyp, Apr 3, 2013

Answer 4

It can mean ' to do the paper work' .

Also: to do one's outmost, one's very best ( with speed!)

Thanks for the answer and the extras Annie. - rogspax, Apr 2, 2013

Interesting question. - annierats, Apr 3, 2013

Answer 5

rogspax,

Let me run this by you. Diligence in English refers to a commitment to more than doing an errand or task. Therefore, this phrase may mean in its context "to do this or these tasks with commitment in your motives as much as doing them just to do them". It is like a higher goal than to do but to do completely and correctly. It is a subtle increase in the responsibility to do something.

This is my best guess. I hope it helps.

Answer 6

Interesting posts here. I have always used the word quehaceres to mean “errands.” Hmm . . . ¡Me parece que esta palabra no es muy común!

Interesting for sure. Seems my prof is right along with the consensus on this one. I´d learned quehaceres to mean chores, as in, quehaceres domésticos. (O, de la casa, O, del hogar), but not errands until now. Good to know. Thx. - rogspax, Apr 3, 2013

Quehaceres can also mean housework. - francobollo, Apr 3, 2013

^or chores - Rey_Mysterio, Apr 3, 2013

Answer 7

Hacer diligencias is very common and it is not formal. I use it all the time to mean "to run errands". Hacer mandados is more colloquial and it includes going to the market or doing a little shopping, not necessarily paying bills or going to the bank, etc.

Literally speaking, a mandado is an order someone gives you (mandar means to order). Hacer diligencias is a self imposed action.

I hope this helps!

According to RAE: Encargo, encomienda. Tengo que hacer varios recados antes de las cinco. So a recado is also an order you are following. Not necessarily an errand, although it is a grey area. - francobollo, Apr 3, 2013

What about recados? - rodneyp, Apr 3, 2013

Answer 8

My textbook gives "hacer diligencias" also. It happens to be in the chapter that my class is on right now. I will have to ask la Dra. about that.

Thanks Kirk. Which book are you using? It happens to be in our book in the chapter we happen to be in too. it´s only the second time our prof disagreed with the book strongly., thus my inquiries here, trying to get a broader consensus. - rogspax, Apr 2, 2013

It is "Aventuras, primero curso de lengua española". This book has carried us through three semesters with tied in web study and resources. It has been pretty good. - kirk1, Apr 3, 2013

Hacer diligencias is perfectly fine, Kirk. - francobollo, Apr 3, 2013

Answer 9

I have heard "hacer las diligencias de costumbre" - "to take the usual steps", but although diligencia is an "errand" according to Collins Dictionary, I would go with Marianne's phrase and use mandado.

Collins also gives

Hacer recados - To run errands

Thanks Eddy. That gives me two alternates, recado y mandado. - rogspax, Apr 2, 2013