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"Sin querer" is a phrase which is often translated as "accidentally", and "por casualidad" is a phrase which is often translated as "by chance". Learn more about the difference between "sin querer" and "por casualidad" below.
sin querer(
seen
keh
-
rehr
)A phrase is a group of words commonly used together (e.g., once upon a time).
a. accidentally
Sin querer, puse azúcar en lugar de sal en el guiso.I accidentally added sugar instead of salt to the stew.
b. unintentionally
Durante el interrogatorio, Krémer traicionó a su cómplice sin querer.Kremer unintentionally betrayed his accomplice during the interrogation.
c. by accident
Estaba cocinando y me hice un corte en la mano sin querer.I was cooking and I cut my hand by accident.
d. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Borré varios archivos importantes, pero fue sin querer.I deleted several important files, but it was an accident.
Le hice daño sin querer, lo juro.I didn't mean to harm him, I swear.
por casualidad(
pohr
kah
-
swah
-
lee
-
dahd
)A phrase is a group of words commonly used together (e.g., once upon a time).
a. by chance
No es posible que esto haya ocurrido solo por casualidad; debe haber una razón.It's not possible that this happened just by chance; there must be a reason.
b. by any chance
¿No habrás visto mi lápiz rojo por casualidad?Did you happen to see my red pencil by any chance?
c. by accident
Nos enteramos de que estaba aquí por casualidad.We found out he was here by accident.
