pero si

Question

I read this sentence in El león, la bruja, y el ropero and was going to ask about the "pero si".

--¡Pero si ésos no son países! --dijo Lucía casi riendo--.

Upon searching the forum, it apears that James had started an earlier thread on this topic. So is it agreed that the "si" simply adds emphasis to the sentence? I found this example in the dictionary:

¡pero si eso lo sabe todo el mundo! -> come on, everyone knows that!

Could you just leave out the "si"? How would that change the meaning? ¡Pero ésos no son países!

Can "pero si" be used when the sentence is not negative?

But I just got home! ¡Pero si acabo de llegar a casa! (Is that right'''')

Answer 1

¡Gracias!

and "reply to this"is not working . . .

Answer 2

Natasha:
Mira el siguiente sitio, donde nuestro gran amgio, Lazarus, ha contribuido al hilo.

<http://forum.wordreference.com/showthread.php't=773474>

Answer 3

I agree with Lazarus, there is a little difference but maybe for a foreigner is difficult to perceive it.

Answer 4

To me they are different, close as they appear to be.

¡Pero eso lo sabe todo el mundo! = But everyone knows that! (establishes a concession)
¡Pero si eso lo sabe todo el mundo! = Why, everyone knows that! (expresses surprise)

Answer 5

Dunia said:

If you leave out "si" the meaning doesn't change, only the intensity. I can be used in positive sentence. Example: "¡Pero si ya te lo dije!"

"¡Pero si acabo de llegar a casa! is ok.

It sounds like "too" in English. Yes, I did TOO tell you that!!

Answer 6

If you leave out "si" the meaning doesn't change, only the intensity.
I can be used in positive sentence. Example: "¡Pero si ya te lo dije!"
"¡Pero si acabo de llegar a casa! is ok.

Answer 7

What does everyone think'