"¿Va a comprar esos libros?"

Question

Context: A bookstore employee, to a customer near the register holding three books, asks:

Employee: "¿Va a comprar esos libros?"

I saw that translated as, "Would you like to buy those books?"

I want to double-check that translation here on SpanishDict. To me, the question looks like the less polite and more blunt, "Are you going to buy those books?" (but, I know translations are not straightforward and want to know if that´s the way an employee would say that to a customer).

Answer 1

Here in my country we said:

¿Va a llevar esos libros? / ¿Va a comprar esos libros?

Both could be polite or rude, it depends on how the employee says it (his face and tone).

Thanks. That makes sense. Could be interpreted as the literal translation or more politely, depending on tone. - Trieltor, May 11, 2013

Answer 2

I agree with Anormal. Llevar is what we use in the real world.

¿Va a comprar esos libros? in this senario sounds very elementary as if something from a language textbook because any idiot can tell that someone standing near a register with these books is going to buy them.

Answer 3

I have noticed that Spanish is direct and straight forward. English in the US tends to beat around the bush more because of the incorrectness of political correctness. Are you going to buy those books might offend someone so it could be considered politicaly incorrect when in reality there is nothing wrong with the question. It would be my pleasure to assist you if you would like to purchase those books at this time.

If I´m understanding you correctly, I think you basically agree with Anormal. - Trieltor, May 11, 2013

I agree but I also wanted to point out there is a cultural difference in what is rude. - 00551866, May 12, 2013

Answer 4

"Would you like to buy those books?" Would be more like "¿Le gustaría comprar esos libros?"

I think you are right - this is more like "are you going to buy these books?"

It might be a little forceful or not, depending on tone.

Answer 5

Translations usually are literal, else you are interpreting...

Are you going to buy those books? is exactly what is being asked. Now, I don't understand how can that be misunderstood as being blunt, unless the tone of the person is somewhat forceful...

Try curiosity?

If you are going to interpret, how about the same question to mean:

Are you ready? (probably that one is telling you to get out of there already!)

Is that all? (pushy, pushy, pushy...)

I think you are saying that, in Spanish, it´s a perfectly polite way for employees to speak with customers. - Trieltor, May 11, 2013

I guess you can say anything in either language and it is going to depend on the tone of the person. Have a nice day! ;) - chileno, May 12, 2013

Especially after the cop wrote you that ticket.... :-D - chileno, May 12, 2013