Como se dice nothing special...

Question

Because I figured it would be "no es nada especial" but Spanish Dict also lists "Es uno de tantos"...what's the difference, friends?

Answer 1

Hi Dani,

I found this on Word reference.

no es nada del otro mundo

It's nothing to shout about

Boy! You are good at finding these links! - Daniela2041, Nov 28, 2014

Answer 2

Bosque, I use linguee a lot too and here it is for :

linguee: no es nada del otro mundo

I like, "It's nothing to write home about".

http://www.linguee.es/espanol-ingles/traduccion/no+es+del+otro+mundo.html

I had the worst time with this link. - sanlee, Nov 28, 2014

Answer 3

¿Qué tal les parece? "no es nada del otro mundo." This came to mind and I checked my Larousse dictionary and allí estuvo.

Hi Dani, What about the English translation. I will try it. How about they seem to be "It is nothing of the other world"...too literal. - sanlee, Nov 28, 2014

I found a link to word reference, but I don't really get it. It isn't anything from out of this world? - sanlee, Nov 28, 2014

I guess I see it, It's not out of this world,...It's nothing special, It's no big deal - sanlee, Nov 28, 2014

You've got the idea now. If it's not from the other world, then it's from this one so therefore nothing unusual or special. Maybe you have to be born to Spanish to really "feel" the meaning. - Daniela2041, Nov 28, 2014

That is probably true, Dani. Thanks. I need to become more Spanish. - sanlee, Nov 28, 2014

Answer 4

I am not a native speaker, but I would say "No es nada especial". I do not no about the second phrase. You can wait for a native speaker on that one.

Answer 5

Es uno de tantos is just a different way of expressing the concept in a set phrase:

It (or he) is one of many- which conveys the same idea in a different way- if something is one of many, it clearly is nothing special.

Here are examples of usage:

http://www.linguee.es/espanol-ingles/traduccion/uno+de+tantos.html

Thanks! I guess I see myself saying "It's nothing special" in a blushing way after receiving a compliment...then which is more natural to use? - aputnam, Nov 27, 2014

"No es nada especial" seems more appropriate in that context. But keep in mind I am not a native speaker so watch for other comments. :) - bosquederoble, Nov 27, 2014

@sputnam , please do not say that after receiving a compliment , be happy and grateful for it , someone went out of their way to make you feel good , please do the same for them.mate. - ray76, Nov 28, 2014