Pues

Question

Por favor, explicarme que utilizando la palabra "pues". Es una palabra muy frequento en Guatemala, pero yo creeo que no tiene un tranduce directo en ingles.

Can someone explan that use of the word "pues". I hear it all the time in Guatemala, but I think it doesn't directly translate into english.

Answer 1

Hi Morgan

Everyone has done a great job of giving you a complete picture of the usage of pues, but because it's probably the spanish word I say the most, I want to be in on the conversation. It comes in handy when you are trying to remember how to say what you are trying to say in spanish, generally drawn out to a pueeees, before you come out with what you really want to say. Like:
so do you like my story?
Pueeeees, it's very interesting

lol But seriously as has been mentioned, it is used like we might use well, as a placeholder, a verbal, "I'm thinking"; as well as in some if-then statements.

Careful with pues though because it can quickly become a word-whisker, something you use too often, like most of us and um.

Answer 2

I just ran into "Pues" in a sentence and the translation in the book is "Now" (english spanish book, one side is in spanish, the other has the translation). The exact sentence is:

Pues, siendo yo niño de ocho años... Now, when I was a boy of eight...

This doesn't seem to match what you have all said... Is this a correct translation?

Because pues is such a flexible word, I think it could be translated as "now" in some cases. In the sentence you give, "now" doesn´t mean "at the present time", it just means "listen up, I´m about to tell you something". Pues...

Answer 3

I've heard that word pues often when living in El Paso Texas. It seems to be a word to take you from one idea to another, which is connected. Example. I don't eat beans. pues No thank you.

I've also heard it used as an if>then statement.

Answer 4

That's true what kattya said. It's similar to the word "pois" in Portuguese. You can use it as "humm" when people are telling you something and you have the instinte of saying "I see", like if you were showing them that you're following up the conversation. You can also use it as the word "Claro", like you're saying that someone's statement it's logically obvious. The only stupid example I can remember it's : Él cielo está limpio, por que no hay nubes --> Then someone says "Pues" (Duuhh! You came up with that thought all by yourself??)

Answer 5

I just double-clicked on pues above, and was told that "No discussions were found matching "pues."' Does the word have to be in the title for this function to work?

Furthermore, if someone wants to know what pues means, it is impossible for them to double-click on that word, since there is no thread at that point containing the word on which to click! They should instead click on the Dictionary tab near the top of every page of this site.

Really,I just doubleclicked on 'pues' in your post and it says 'since'. Maybe it doesn't work for everybody? - margaretbl, Aug 31, 2010

Answer 6

I see/hear pues used to express a cause or a consequence.

Estaba preocupada por ti, pues no te vi antes de irte.

I was worried about you, for (as in because) I didn't see you before you left.

Answer 7

I just ran into "Pues" in a sentence and the translation in the book is "Now" (english spanish book, one side is in spanish, the other has the translation). The exact sentence is:

Pues, siendo yo niño de ocho años... Now, when I was a boy of eight...

This doesn't seem to match what you have all said... Is this a correct translation?

Answer 8

thanks everyone. I did indeed look it up in the dictionary, but a dictionary defintition isn't really what i'm looking for...I hear pues all the time, but in wierd forms...I suppose I am hearing it in its space filler function.

What is the difference between pues and asi que...

Answer 9

{Can't seem to reply to the last post...}

Another good space filler, one that corresponds to "er" and "um," is "este."

Vamos a ver, este, esa película que te mencioné. Este, la que vió tu hermano.

Answer 10

I just double clicked the word & got this

pues
pues translated from Spanish to English

SpanishDict Spanish to English Dictionary

pues
then
well then

General Spanish to English Dictionary

pues
for

Babylon Spanish to English Dictionary

pues
well; then
for; then; since

Grenada Spanish to English Dictionary

pues
alas, as, then

Answer 11

I always mention the double click function, so that the poster can have a look even after posting, as this function is widely unknown.

Answer 12

Apparently, the dictionary page no longer brings up discussions unless the exact word was in the title. The best way to search discussions is to enter your word in the "search" box at the very top of the forum page. This will bring up everything you want and then some . . .

Answer 13

I have usually heard it translated as "well" or "so", as in:

Well, I'm kind of tired -- I don't think I'll go today.

I don't like beans, so, no thank you.

Answer 14

Pues, depending on its stress can be a gap filler, also like hmmmmmmm

Hi, discovered the "double click" function yet? Just click on the word you are looking for and it will lead you directly to the dictionary and the different "discussions" with the word involved.
I hope that's useful.