"Si" Used Emphatically or as a Protest
¡Hola a todos! Hace mucho que no estoy en este sitio…
I have a question: I've seen the word "si" (no accent, usually meaning "if") used in a couple of ways that confuse me somewhat. For example, I have seen "si" used in a way that indicates protest (here are some dictionary examples):
- ¡Si no sabía que estabas allí! But I didn't know you were there!
- ¡Si (es que) acabo de llamarte! But I've only just phoned you!
And some ways that seem to simply give emphasis (dictionary examples again):
- ¡Si serán hipócritas! They're such hypocrites!
- ¡Si lo sabré yo! "Don't I know it!" or "You're telling me!"
It's this second usage that most confuses me. Specifically, how is it typically constructed (here it seems like the future is generally used)? Also, can someone give me some more examples of how this might be used in conversation or writing so I can gain a better grasp of this concept? Thanks!!
2 Answers
Interesting. I´ve noticed both of those cases too (but thought they were generally Sí (with accent). They´ve usually been where we´d us DO for emphasis in English (But I DO like to go running and maybe even your rebuttal case (But I DO go to church on Wednesdays) but I haven´t yet identified a real rhyme or reason.
I hadn´t really thought of the emphasis and protest-rebuttal as two distinct cases before, but maybe your way is a better way to look at it.
I look forward to what others have to say, and it´s something I´m trying to figure out a bit better too.
An interesting offshoot of that one is the negative (probably a version of your protest). ¨No, no, no, sí que no¨ which I heard in Spain. No, that´s not it at all! or No way! No, I don´t agree at all!
No, future is just one of such cases.
What you refer is nothing but for enhancing the meaning when there's a strong agreement/disagreement involved or just for nothing but enhancing the meaning, and add more drama, or just to turn something into a parody.
Most of times, for us it has a lot to do with expressing what you think in a strong way.
It's not the same to say '' They're such hypocrites! '' than just '' They're hypocrites '', and it's not the same in Spanish either.
You can use, p.e, ' si ' in that special way for a present action, as follows:
You look happy - ' light ' way.
You look way too happy / What a happy one, look at you ! - ' strong ' way
In Spanish goes like this:
Te ves/Se te nota feliz - Al estilo ' suave '
Si que te ves/Si que se te nota feliz !! - Al estilo ' fuerte '
Hope this helps, cheers.
