Help me translate this cluster of clauses.

Question

Hola a ustedes.

¿Pueden ayudarme a traducir esta oración correctamente?

He ahí la oracion:

"The only thing he wanted to do was to make you all laugh.

Mi prueba:

"Lo único quería hacer era hacer que ustedes sonrieran."

La escribí bien?

Did you create a chaotic cluster of choreographed charismatic clauses conditionally ? - ray76, Jun 25, 2016

No, I wanted to use these words in a sentence - cmusba, Jun 25, 2016

Just joking mate and practicing alliteration. - ray76, Jun 26, 2016

Now I see it - cmusba, Jun 26, 2016

Answer 1

I wouldn't even include "único".

I would say, "Solo quería hacerles reír.' 'He only wanted to make you (plura) laugh.'

Yes, much more concise! There are times when Spanish seems to say things in (using) fewer words ;) - FELIZ77, Jun 25, 2016

I agree, this is how we would really say it - 005faa61, Jun 25, 2016

Than k s for making so concise. I have a knack for being superfluou - cmusba, Jun 26, 2016

Answer 2

Lo único que quería hacer fue hacerles reir.

:) - FELIZ77, Jun 25, 2016

Answer 3

I'm only an advanced beginner, so don't take my word for it, but I would write:

Lo único que quería hacer era hacer que ustedes ríen.

I'm sure that the additional "que" is needed, and I'm sure that "laugh" is "reir,"not "sonreir," which is "smile." I'm not sure whether the subjunctive mood is needed after the second "que." If so, I think it would be the present subjunctive "rían," but I could be wrong.

Having read marksteve's answer, I agree that the "lo" should probably be "la" and "unico," "unica." - AnnRon, Jun 25, 2016

AnnRon, your translation is also correct my friend! you can say: (La unica cosa) or (lo unico) they're like interchangeable:) - marksteve, Jun 25, 2016

Reír is what a great! Thanks - cmusba, Jun 25, 2016

Hacer que always requires subjunctive. Hacer, like permitir, does allow a subject change with infinitive without needing a que phrase, the way Julian did it, however. :) - bosquederoble, Jun 25, 2016

Also since the rest of the sentence was past, the subjunctive would be past subjunctive, if it were to be done that way. :) - bosquederoble, Jun 25, 2016

Thanks, bosque. I always learn from you. - AnnRon, Jun 25, 2016

I actually knew that a sentence in past tense would take the imperfect subjunctive, but misremembered the sentence and, without rereading it, proceeded to post as if it were in present tense. - AnnRon, Jun 26, 2016

Answer 4

Hi cmusba! You are on track! I would say;

"La única cosa que quería/deseaba hacer fue hacer reír a ustedes"

The only thing I don't feel comfortable about the translation is that we will have (two) hacer words.. :( We can say though "Traer la risa a ustedes" insted to mean the same thing!

Hope this helps!

Answer 5

bump