Don't go + (gerund)

Question

I have a feeling that this is one of those things that can't be translated, but it is very common in English, so I'd like to know if there is a way to convey the nuance.

Examples (with standard expression in parentheses):
Don't go getting all crazy.
(Don't get all crazy.)

Don't go looking through my letters.
(Don't look through my letters.)

Don't go breaking my heart.
(Don't break my heart.)
(This last one was the title of an Elton John song.

The meaning is basically the same in each pair, but the "go" adds a subtle but important nuance. I suppose the literal translation would be something like "No andes rompiéndome el corazón," but that doesn't sound right to me.

Any suggestions'

Answer 1

lazarus1907 said:

My attempts before reading others':

No te vayas a volver loco/a (a bit literal) or No vayas a volverte loco - many colloquial expressions available here

No te pongas a mirar mis cartas or No te vayas a poner a mirar mis cartas (2nd is not so natural)

No te pongas a romperme el corazón - This one doesn't sound right, no matter how much i try.

Poner is what we use over here in these cases.

Answer 2

Sally said:

LadyDi said:

I'm leaning towards samdie's suggestion for option two...'No te pongas a esculcar mis cartas.' However, I don't think it's a perfect fit for every situation.

Never heard the verb "esculcar." After posting I would revise option two: No te vayas a revisar mis cartas.

>

Answer 3

LadyDi said:

I'm leaning towards samdie's suggestion for option two...'No te pongas a esculcar mis cartas.' However, I don't think it's a perfect fit for every situation.

After posting I would revise option two: No te vayas a revisar mis cartas.

Answer 4

Don't go breaking my heart. My try.....No vayas quebrando mi corazón

don´t break my hearth ......................no quiebres mi corazón

Answer 5

My attempts before reading others':

No te vayas a volver loco/a (a bit literal) or No vayas a volverte loco - many colloquial expressions available here
No te pongas a mirar mis cartas or No te vayas a poner a mirar mis cartas (2nd is not so natural)
No te pongas a romperme el corazón - This one doesn't sound right, no matter how much i try.

Answer 6

De nada.

Answer 7

Thanks, LD. And thanks for teaching me the verb esculcar!

Answer 8

I'm leaning towards samdie's suggestion for option two...'No te pongas a esculcar mis cartas.' However, I don't think it's a perfect fit for every situation.

Answer 9

Thanks, Sally and samdie. I wasn't necessarily looking for a Spanish version that uses the gerundio, just one that conveys this distinction. Do you guys think that your suggestions do that'

Answer 10

Maybe way out from left field but I'd use "no te pongas" instead of "no te vayas" for all of those expressions. I can't offer any real justification but I feel that it gives a more "idiomatic" flavor.

Answer 11

I just realized my suggestions do not include the gerund form of the verbs. As usual we need a native speaker's help. I'm thinking that go+ gerund is not the normal usage in Spanish.

Answer 12

My suggestions:
Don't go getting all crazy. = No te vayas a enloquecerse. or No te vayas a hacer todo loco.
Don't go looking through my letters. = No te vayas a ver a mis cartas.
Don't go breaking my heart. = No te vayas a romper mi corazon.