"or else" at the end of a sentence
I've looked at the discussions of this at WR, and I know that there is probably no single way to translate this, but I'd like to hear some ideas for translating this in the following examples. The basic idea is that a threat is always implied.
Do your homework, or else!
Leave me alone, or else!
Pay up, or else!
If the "or else" appears in the middle of a sentence (that is, if it is followed by the consequence), I know that we can use "si no...," but what about at the end of the sentence, when the consequence is merely implied'
12 Answers
Another ending for "or else" is "te enteras" or "te vas a enterar".
Dejame en paz o te enteras.
Roughly translated it means, "I'm going to give you an ear full" (give you a piece of my mind).
lazarus1907 said:
It's maybe just guessing, but we have lots of expressions saying that if you come looking for trouble, you'll get trouble, and similar things:
Does that also account for the "No busques tres pies al gato."? (Never having seen a three-legged cat, much less,
James Santiago said:
Could you explain the construction of "te la buscas" here?
It's maybe just guessing, but we have lots of expressions saying that if you come looking for trouble, you'll get trouble, and similar things:
El que la busca, la encuentra (el que busca la pelea/confrontación, la encuentra)
¡No me busques, que es peor! (¡Don't push me, or else!)
¡Tú te lo has buscado! (You asked for it! - Tú te has buscado el problema/lío)
Bear in mind that "buscar" means, among other things, to provoke someone for a fight. This "lo/la" is never too specific, and it is mostly guessed from context, but "lo" is used mostly for "consequences", and "la" for "trouble". I know It is not a brilliant explanation, but I'm sure you'll get the idea easily.
Yeah, I guessed that much from the context, but I was hoping to hear an explanation of buscársela, with which I am unfamiliar.
James Santiago said:
Thanks, those look good, too. But I don't understand one thing.
Que me dejes en paz,¡ que si no te la buscas!
Could you explain the construction of "te la buscas" here?
Just guessing here, but couldn't it translate as "watch out" or Watch it", leave me in peace or else watch out.
Thanks, those look good, too. But I don't understand one thing.
Que me dejes en paz,¡ que si no te la buscas!
Could you explain the construction of "te la buscas" here'
Yo siempre digo:
Te he dicho que hagas los deberes...¡¡¡que si no....!!! (enfasis on no)
....o si no...!!!!
Que me dejes en paz,¡ que si no te la buscas!
Que me hagas caso...¡o si no ya verás!
What about... "¡o verás!"? (Similar to LadyDi's suggestion)
Those look good. I especially like how LD was thinking outside the box (although that way lacks the punch of the "or else" at the end, often given with a menacing glare, a pointing finger, or a waved fist).
Thanks to both of you.
I think you could also say 'más te vale' at the beginning of the sentence...'Más te vale que hagas la tarea.'
"o vive con las consquencias"
How about, 'o vas a ver''
