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"Cometa" is a form of "cometa", a noun which is often translated as "comet". "A cuestas" is a phrase which is often translated as "on one's back". Learn more about the difference between "cometa" and "a cuestas" below.
el cometa, la cometa(
koh
-
meh
-
tah
)A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
1. (astronomy)
a. comet
El astrónomo utilizó su telescopio para ver el cometa.The astronomer used his telescope to view the comet.
A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
2. (flying toy)
a. kite
Cuando hay mucho viento en la playa, a mi hijo le gusta volar su cometa nueva.When it is very windy on the beach, my son likes to fly his new kite.
a cuestas(
ah
kwehs
-
tahs
)A phrase is a group of words commonly used together (e.g., once upon a time).
a. on one's back
Varios hombres salieron en ese momento del almacén, llevando cada uno un saco a cuestas.Several men came out of the warehouse at that moment, each carrying a sack on his back.
b. on one's shoulders
Los soldados caminaban en columna por la carretera con sus petates a cuestas.The soldiers were walking in a column along the road with their bedrolls on their shoulders.
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
¿Tienes que ir con el bolso a cuestas? Solo vamos a dar un paseo.Do you have to carry your bag? We're only going for a walk.
La maleta no tenía ruedas y tuve que lllevarla a cuestas hasta el mostrador de facturación.The suitcase didn't have wheels and I had to carry it to the check-in.
3. (figurative) (used to talk about responsibilities or problems)
A phrase used as a figure of speech or a word that is symbolic in meaning; metaphorical (e.g., carrot, bean).
a. on one's shoulders
Estoy harto de ir con todos estos complejos a cuestas. Quiero ser feliz y despreocupado, como tú.I'm fed up with carrying all these complexes on my shoulders. I want to be happy and carefree, like you.
b. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Aquella gente había sobrevivido a la guerra, pero ahora caminaba por la vida con su sufrimiento a cuestas.Those people had survived the war, but were now walking through life weighed down by their own suffering.
Tu enfermedad es la cruz que llevas a cuestas, pero piensa que todo el mundo tiene la suya.Your illness is your cross to bear, but you must realize that everyone has their own.
