"It's meant to be" and "it's a sign" equivalents?

Question

Hi All. I found "una buena señal" to mean "it's a good sign" online but does this actually make sense? For example I recommended a book to a friend and he told me he already had a copy at home. I wanted to say "It's meant to be" but I am a) not sure if such equivalent exists in Spanish or b) how to say that.

Thank you kindly.

http://forum.wordreference.com/threads/it´s-a-sign.1493105/ - bosquederoble, Apr 21, 2016

What a great, insightful comment. Thank you so much for really clearing it up. - Zein-, Apr 22, 2016

Answer 1

Even in English I would say that the two expressions do not mean the same thing.

It is meant to be - is an expression that something is fate, and cannot be changed.

It is a sign - whatever "it" is it is only a sign. Example: The boss never talks to me. I think it is a sign he doesn't like me.

I am sure that each can be expressed in various ways in Spanish.

It is meant to be - Es el destino, destinado a ser.

It is a sign - Es un señal, Es una indicación.

Surely there are many ways to literally translate it. Since it is more or less an idiomatic phrase my question was about whether or not it actually makes sense in Spanish to be used in a casual way as per my example above. Regardless, thank you kindly! - Zein-, Apr 22, 2016