dar que pensar
- Dictionary
USAGE NOTE
This idiom may literally be literally translated as "to give what to think about" and may also be written "dar en qué pensar."
dar que pensar(
dahr
keh
pehn
-
sahr
)An intransitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and does not require a direct object (e.g., Everybody please stand up.).
1. (idiom) (to give everyone in general reasons for careful consideration)
An idiom is a phrase with a meaning different from the literal meaning of the separate words that make it up (e.g., break a leg).
a. to make you think
Me encantó tu novela. Es una historia que da que pensar.I loved your novel. It's a story that makes you think.
b. to make you wonder
La noticia dice que la mayoría de los adolescentes ya probó el alcohol antes de los dieciséis años. Da que pensar.The news says most teenagers already tried alcohol by the age of sixteen. It makes you wonder.
c. to give you food for thought (idiom)
An idiom is a phrase with a meaning different from the literal meaning of the separate words that make it up (e.g., break a leg).
Las cifras sobre la pobreza en el mundo dan que pensar.World poverty figures give you food for thought.
d. to be thought-provoking
El discurso de Álvarez sobre las consecuencias del calentamiento global era impactante y daba que pensar.Alvarez's speech about the consequences of global warming was powerful and thought-provoking.
e. to set you thinking
La película "El francotirador" da que pensar acerca de la guerra y sus devastadores efectos en los que sobreviven a ella.The movie "The Deer Hunter" sets you thinking on war and its devastating effect on the people who survive it.
A transitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and requires a direct object (e.g., take out the trash.).
2. (idiom) (to leave someone wondering)
An idiom is a phrase with a meaning different from the literal meaning of the separate words that make it up (e.g., break a leg).
a. to make ... think
Las enigmáticas palabras de Joan me dieron que pensar.Joan's enigmatic words made me think.
b. to make ... wonder
La extraña actitud del chico dio que pensar a sus padres.The boy's strange attitude made his parents wonder.
c. to give ... food for thought (idiom)
An idiom is a phrase with a meaning different from the literal meaning of the separate words that make it up (e.g., break a leg).
La película dará que pensar a los escépticos sobre el tema de la homeopatía.The movie will give food for thought to those who are skeptical of homeopathy.
d. to set ... thinking
El rápido paso del ex ministro de Industria al sector privado dio que pensar a mucha gente.The former Industry Secretary's fast transition to the private sector set many people thinking.
e. to arouse ... suspicions
¿Qué le llamó la atención del hombre? - Supongo que su forma de merodear y mirar a las casas de la gente me dio que pensar.What about the man caught your attention? - I guess the way he loitered and looked into people's houses aroused my suspicions.
Examples
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