Colocaciones... Useful set phrases...

Question

Yesterday I had an interesting lesson with my Spanish tutor on the subject of 'colocaciones'. I have to admit initially I struggled with this because I had no idea what a 'colocación' is, and the explanation (which was in Spanish) seemed rather technical (overly technical as it turned out).

Part of the problem was that I couldn't (and still can't) think of a common direct translation for 'colocación', but from the way by tutor talked about it, I gather it's a major deal in Spanish.

Anyway, after working through a few examples, it became clearer. A 'colocación' is a useful common set phrase or pairing or words that often combine to render another meaning, e.g. 'slice of bread', 'pride of lions', 'torrential rain'. Some seem a little like clichés when render in English.

Anyway, I though I would share some of them. Please feel free to add to my list:

• Un filete de merluza = a slice of hake (fish)
• Un gajo de naranja = a segment of orange (I would say 'scleef', but I suspect this might be Scots)
• Una onza de chocolate = a bit of chocolate (lit. 'ounce')
• Una raja de melón = a slice of melon
• Una rebanada de pan = a slice of bread
• Un diente de ajo = a clove of garlic
• Un bandada de aves = a flock of birds
• Un banco de peces = a shoal of fish
• Un rebaño de ovejas = a flock of sheep
• Una piara de cerdos = a herd of pigs (swine)
• Un enjambre de abejas = a swarm of bees
• Una jauría de perros = a pack of dogs
• Un calor infernal = hellish heat
• Un frío siberiano = Baltic cold
• Una lluvia torrencial = torrential rain
• Un viento racheado = howling gale
• Un sol cegador = blinding sun
• Una nube amenazante = threatening cloud

literally ounce = onza literally "a little bit" = pizca/poquito ;) - chileno, Sep 8, 2015

Answer 1

They are also very useful in English - in fact online there is an Oxford collocation dictionary NB my link was wrong Jubilado has added correct one.

Macmillan has also done one - I have seen a PDF but don't like to put links unless I am sure about them. Here is their site which also has a link to some free e lessons:

Macmillan information

In your native language you just know some words link and others are odd (of course we must have learnt them at our Mother's knee!) some words go naturally together.

In English have a drink sounds natural but take a drink sounds odd.

Writers sometimes colocate words that sound odd for effect but if you are learning a language you need to learn the words that go together like make or bake a cake but cook a cake though correct sounds strange. However it depends on context - I'm going to bake a cake, I am going to make a Victoria spong and cook it/bake it for 25 minutes.

Your teacher has given you some great examples.

I only got a picture when I clicked on you Oxford Online Dictionary so I'm adding this link to your post: Jubilado

Online Oxford Collocation dictionary

Thank you J - I added the links after initial post when I was able to use a laptop. You have added the correct link for OED. MacMillan was OK - Mardle, Sep 10, 2015

Answer 2

In Scotland we 'take' drink all the time. In fact, we 'take' a lot of drink...

Here's the chorus from one of our national anthems, Auld Lang Syne (with Spanish translation, because this, after all, is a Spanish forum). The 'cup o' kindness' being taken is, of course, a reference to drinking, or 'taking', strong spirituous liquor in the company of friends:

For auld lang syne, my jo,

For auld lang syne,

We’ll tak a cup o’ kindness yet,

For auld lang syne...

En homenaje a los tiempos ancianos, mi amigo,

A los tiempos ancianos,

Tomaremos una copa de ternura de nuevo,

A los tiempos ancianos...

It is all about context} Sadly?? I was given a book of Burns poems at 8 [and still have it] - Mardle, Sep 8, 2015

Answer 3

nice

Answer 4

Well worth another read , thanks mate.