Words , phrases show you really mean what you say . Spanish for beginners.

Question

Adding Emphasis to Sentences

Spanish has numerous ways in which it is possible to emphasize the truthful nature of a statement or sentence. Following are some examples along with some possible English translations.

Note that many of these terms are interchangeable, both in the Spanish and in the translation:

• ahora bien (now then): Ahora bien, la situación es que no vivimos ni en tiempos bíblicos. (Now then, the situation is that we don't live in Bible times.)
• claro que (clearly): Claro que es necesario. (Clearly it is necessary.)

• de hecho (in fact): De hecho el hierro es más duro que el estaño. (In fact, iron is harder than tin.

• de veras (really): De veras me siento feliz de que alguien se tome el tiempo de leerme. (I feel really happy that someone is taking the time to read to me.)

• en realidad (in reality): En realidad todo depende de sus necesidades específicas. (In reality, everything depends on your specific needs.)
  • ** es que** (the fact is): Es que no puedo hacer todo el trabajo. (The fact is I can't do all the work.)
  • por supuesto (of course): Por supuesto, ocurrirá como el caso de Microsoft y Netscape. (Of course, it will occur as in the case of Microsoft and Netscape.)
  • realmente (really): Realmente la aspirina es un salvavidas. (Aspirin is really a lifesaver.)

Good one - Ranman, Aug 11, 2013

Thanks mate ,I want to give back some of the terrific help that I received over the years on SD. - ray76, Aug 11, 2013

Is there a flashcard set in the making for this? If not, would you mind if I made one? - Findy, Aug 17, 2013

Ok.... coming up! - Findy, Aug 19, 2013

@Findy , I do not think that there is Findy so , go girl go ! - ray76, Aug 19, 2013

Answer 1

Otro ejemplo: lo que pasa es que. An extension of "es que" used to negate or qualify a preceding statement.

Por qué estáis enfadados? --Lo que pasa es que es nuestro último día de vacaciones. En realidad estamos tristes.

Why are you angry? --The truth of the matter is that it is our last day of vacation. We are actually sad.

Thanks Tosh , that could be very handy . - ray76, Aug 11, 2013

I just wish I could remember all of these handy sayings when I am talking! lol - Tosh, Aug 11, 2013

I wish that I could talk to someone. - ray76, Aug 11, 2013

Have Skype? We can talk sometime! - Tosh, Aug 11, 2013

That would be great Tosh , but my time is upside down to yours so may be a bit hard for you , but thanks for the offer , much appreciated. - ray76, Aug 19, 2013

Answer 2

What about...

Estoy bromeando. I am joking.

So was I - ray76, Aug 19, 2013

Answer 3

Te lo digo desde ya... (Literally: 'from now')

I'm telling you 'from' now..

It means: ' I'm telling you this right now and this is serious so you'd better remember '.

Te lo digo desde ya. En esta casa no se tolera ese comportamiento. (I'm telling you right now, you will not act like that in this house.)

It is also used to express that you are not changing your mind. Ever.

Te lo digo desde ya: no pienso ponerme ese vestido. (I'm telling you now, I am not wearing that dress.)

[Feel free to correct my English, please]

What if I wrote 'ever' instead of 'never'? That was my first 'feeling'. Is it ok? - 003492fc, Aug 16, 2013

I would write, ever. - rac1, Aug 16, 2013

Thanks :) - 003492fc, Aug 16, 2013

Hi atxeko, this would sound a little bit better. "I'm telling (this to) you now and it's best that you remember because it's serious." - 0095ca4c, Aug 16, 2013

Hi, atxeko! This is a good phrase and I hope I remember it. I have 2 edits (for more colloquial phrasing) of your English: I'm telling you right now, 1. and this is serious so you'd better remember it - Jubilado, Aug 17, 2013

2. you will not act like that (or do that) in this house! - Jubilado, Aug 17, 2013

Thanks a lot. I appreciate all your corrections. - 003492fc, Aug 17, 2013

Answer 4

We already know that.

Ya sabemos eso.

¡ Lo que sea ! - ray76, Aug 11, 2013

Answer 5

Es cierto que todo él dijo fue pura bara.

It is certain that everything he said was pure bs (bogus stuff, etc).

Thanks , each one of these helps us to put them into perspective and our memory banks. - ray76, Aug 11, 2013

Pura vida - 00551866, Aug 11, 2013

Answer 6

Ya lo sé = I know/I know that.

Very common where someone tells you something you are already aware of.

¡Y que! = "So what?"

El papa es católico. ¡Y que! ¡Ya lo se!

¡Y que! Mile Davis

good one: ) - Ranman, Aug 11, 2013

We say here ,-El papa está el jefe de la mafia , ¡ Y que ! - ray76, Aug 11, 2013

:-) - lagartijaverde, Aug 12, 2013

Answer 7

Els que el orgulloel prejuicio o la bebida pueden pintar a sí mismo en una esquina.

The fact is that pride, prejudice or drinking can paint oneself into a corner.

Es que ......... amiga :) - ian-hill, Aug 11, 2013

Incredibly graphic . good one amiga. - ray76, Aug 11, 2013

Answer 8

Eso es directamente falso.

That's 'directly' false. (a lie).

It is used when you want to say: 'What you said is so false, that I am not even going to elaborate an argument to refute it'.

There is a more standard way to say it. Also more formal. It would be rotundamente falso (completely false).

[Feel free to correct my English, please]

I don't know anyone who's Spanish I'd like to say this to, but the English translation could have come in handy a couple of years ago. Your English sentence sounds fine to me. :) - Findy, Aug 16, 2013

Your English is perfecto! - rac1, Aug 16, 2013

Directly sounds a little strange to me. We often say "completely" or "blatantly" false. Another phrase with the same meaning; "That's a bald faced lie!" (I love your participation in the forum). - Jubilado, Aug 17, 2013

There is a more standard way to say it. It's "rotundamente". Means completely. Thanks for your input! - 003492fc, Aug 17, 2013

Answer 9

The reality is, it's too hot outside today.

La realidad es que hace demasiado calor afuera hoy.

It is indeed. :( - 003492fc, Aug 16, 2013

Answer 10

Realmente quiero aprender español.

I really want to learn Spanish.

Answer 11

Me sabe mal. colloquial phrase of commiseration meaning

"What a shame/I'm sorry for you.

Example: (visit to bar the morning after the night before) ¿Ha encontrado unas gafas?=Have you found a pair of glasses"

Lo siento pero no, me sabe mal pero no hemos encontrado unas gafas ...sólo lo habitual...drogas, navajas, una pistola, claro que si, pero unas gafas, pues, me parece que no. Me sabe mal

Not a literal translation

I'm sorry, no, what a shame, but we haven't found a pair of glasses, just the usual stuff, drugs, knives, a pistol, naturally, but a pair of glasses, well, I don't think so, what a pity.

"What a shame/pity" can be translated as

Qué lástima

Qué pena

should you want a literal take

I like it. hehe - Findy, Aug 16, 2013

Answer 12

Good post, Ray. I'm just answering so I can find it in "My Answers" when I want to read it again.

I thought of one: a partir de - since. A partir de 2008 dejaron la ayuda internacional y hoy se mantienen. Since 2008 they (have given) gave up international aid and today are self-supporting.

Buen idea amigo . - ray76, Aug 19, 2013

@ Jubilado , would you mind having a look at the Flashcards that Findy has made for this post, thanks mate. - ray76, Aug 19, 2013

Answer 13

o lo que sea= whatever

Answer 14

Además, había que tener en cuenta a los niños.

Answer 15

I made a flashcard set for this.... I'd appreciate if someone could check it over to make sure I got all of the phrases correct. Some had more than one choice of translation so I wasn't sure which one was better. Thanks!

Know What You Mean; Mean What You Say

I am sure that Jubilado would be able to do that for you , both his English and Spanish are exellent. - ray76, Aug 19, 2013

Great! Thanks, Ray! - Findy, Aug 19, 2013

@Findy, I've send you a message concerning to that Flashcard. - 003492fc, Aug 21, 2013

When do we see the "Flash card set mate"? - ray76, Nov 24, 2013