a entre si

Question

I'm reading EL Alquimista (as everyone should!) and I've come across this phrase a few times. "a entire sí/entre sí." In general I've see it when the main character is either thinking or speaking to himself, however, I have seen it also refer to some objects or places. Spanishdict gives me the translation of between if, but that makes no sense in the context.

SO is there anyone that can give me a good translation? Also, what is the grammatical usage or rule of this phrase? Sometimes I've seen the "a", sometimes not. Thank you!

Answer 1

entre si (mismos) - between themselves

Awesome! Can you solve the mystery of the mysterious "a"? - Mariposa1212, Nov 21, 2014

Answer 2

Can you write some complete sentences?.

In general, "entre si" means more or less "to each other" or "to one another"

But I have never heard "a entre si", I don´t know how to use it in a sentence.

I don't know how to use it either. (not that that means anything ha!) But I put two examples above! - Mariposa1212, Nov 21, 2014

Answer 3

Hola, Mariposa,

1 is fairly easy. The tribal chiefs drew close to the leader of the caravan and spoke at length among themselves.

2 is unintelligible to me unless there is an "en" between "pensando" and "la caravana"

If that is so, I can easily help you. If not. Sorry.

I didn't on purpose use the large type, the site did that, sorry. - Daniela2041, Nov 21, 2014

Rac1, can you fix this? - Daniela2041, Nov 21, 2014

I fix it :). You only had to delete the * before each sentence ;) - txustaboy, Nov 21, 2014

Thank you txustaboy, you're so kind. --And a computer genius, also, no? - Daniela2041, Nov 21, 2014

HI! Yes there is an "en". I fixed it above. Thanks - Mariposa1212, Nov 21, 2014

Good answer and good way to work together! Thanks for this question, Mairposa - sanlee, Nov 22, 2014

OK, then. "The boy was thinking to himself about the caravan and the desert. OK,?? Love, Daniela.. I still don't like the extra "a" - Daniela2041, Nov 22, 2014

Could it possibly be something like the personal "a" ? - sanlee, Nov 24, 2014

Or maybe it's one of those "a's" they just through in now and then? - sanlee, Nov 24, 2014

:) - sanlee, Nov 24, 2014

I wouldn't throw it in. I would throw it oowwwtt! "would" One of those pesky "modals" ,no? - Daniela2041, Nov 24, 2014

Answer 4

So here's two examples:

1) los jefes tribales se acercaban al Líder de la Caravana y conversaban largamente entre sí

2) El muchacho estaba pensando en la caravana y el desierto a entre sí

Now the "a" isn't always put with objects or places, but it's the one I found right away.

You're all awesome.

2) is a very strange sentence not only because of the "a", but a preposition is missing after "pensando" - 005faa61, Nov 21, 2014

The second sentence doesn´t have sense - txustaboy, Nov 21, 2014

Answer 5

To one another

Thanks! Do you know the rule about the "a"? - Mariposa1212, Nov 21, 2014

Welcome to SpanishDict. - rac1, Nov 21, 2014