"está como para estar"

Question

I can figure out what the sentence below means, but doesn't it seem like an odd construction? I wonder (1) how else to say the same thing another way, and (2) what some other examples might be using "está como para."

"Si el tiempo no está como para estar en el agua, se pueden hacer travesías en cuadriciclos o a caballo."

So, I take this to mean the following: If the weather isn't right to be in the water, one can take tours (or trips) in four-wheelers or on horseback.

So "estar como para" is apparently something like "it's right for" "or "it's suitable for" when speaking of the condition of something, like the weather.

Is this construction common? Can anyone come up with some examples of "estar como para"?

My advice 'get it because it's very used' :D - Pablo064, Apr 9, 2015

Answer 1

• Este camino al borde del desfiladero está como para caerse.
• Este libro tan pequeño está como para devorarlo en un par de días.
• El pan está como para un hamburguesa.
• El trabajo que tengo está como para no dormir esta noche.
• El día está como para salir a jugar fútbol y ver Smackdown.
• Las carreteras están como para no transitar.
• El avance del proyecto está como para nunca realizarse.
• El paisaje está como para fotografiarlo.
• El terreno está como para construir un rascacielos.
• La cumbre está como para dos días de ascenso.

Thank you Falcop! It would seem that the phrase "estar como para" does not always have the same meaning. Your 3rd example, "el pan está como para un hamburgues" means, and I'm only guessing, "The bread is (suitable) for a hamburger" - malbecblend, Apr 8, 2015

But something being right (suitable) for something doesn't fit in all of your examples, the first one for example. - malbecblend, Apr 8, 2015

These are great examples, so much variety with this expression! - Manity, Apr 9, 2015

jeje, yes, the first example needs other expression at English. - crucesignatus, Apr 9, 2015

The word "como" could be remove at all sentences and the meaning would be same. - crucesignatus, Apr 9, 2015

Like the second example of Jemanu: "El bebé está para comérselo a besos", expressions like this are very common in Spanish. - crucesignatus, Apr 9, 2015

Answer 2

El pollo a la brasa está como para chuparse los dedos

In this pic the chickens is delicious enough to... - jemamu, Apr 8, 2015

jeje, no puse este ejemplo porque por lo común en Perú solemos decir: "Está para chuparse los dedos". :) - crucesignatus, Apr 9, 2015

Answer 3

El bebé está para comérselo a besos.

In this pic the baby is cute enough to... - jemamu, Apr 8, 2015

Answer 4

(1) how else to say the same thing another way,

Because estar is used twice in the original sentence, perhaps it is confusing to you, so you could say, ie: Si el tiempo no está como para (ir a) nadar ..............

yes JulianChivi, that helps. But I'm having a hard time coming up with a single translation that works in each of Falcop's examples. - malbecblend, Apr 8, 2015

It's hard to come up with a single translation because there is no 1:1 correspondence between the two languages. It's a flexible expression, it shouldn't be restricted to one single phrase in English. - Manity, Apr 9, 2015

Well said, Manity ;) - FELIZ77, Apr 9, 2015

Answer 5

Cuando algo está como para...It means something is suitable for....Or something is right for....or good for.

El agua está como para bañarse

The idea.of the sentence is that the temperature of the water is perfect, not cold and not hot.

El dia (clima) esta como para ir a la playa

Today's weather is perfect for going to the beach

El agua esta como para bañarse y no salir nunca del baño

Thank you. I understand & appreciate your explanation. but how would you translate Falcop's 1st example: Este camino al borde del desfiladero está como para caerse? - malbecblend, Apr 13, 2015

This road on the edge of the cliff is perfect to fall - Rey_Mysterio, Apr 14, 2015

it doesnt make sense but yea - Rey_Mysterio, Apr 14, 2015