- Dictionary
estar a punto de llegar(
ehs
-
tahr
ah
poon
-
toh
deh
yeh
-
gahr
)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. (general)
a. to be about to arrive
Tenemos que esconder esas colillas. Mis padres están a punto de llegar.We have to hide those cigarette butts. My parents are about to arrive.
b. to be on the point of arriving
Nuestros invitados estaban a punto de llegar, y nosotros todavía no habíamos metido el pollo en el horno.Our guests were on the point of arriving, and we hadn't put the chicken in the oven yet.
c. to be about to reach
El tren estaba a punto de llegar a su destino cuando sufrió el descarrilamiento.The train was about to reach its destination when it was derailed.
d. to be about to get here
María debe de estar a punto de llegar porque salió hace una hora de su casa.Maria must be about to get here because she left home one hour ago.
e. to be about to get there
¿Habrá llegado ya Antonio a su casa? - Yo creo que estará a punto de llegar.Will Antonio be at home by now? - I think he must be about to get there.
f. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Cuelgo porque estoy a punto de llegar. De hecho, te veo allí en la puerta del café.I'll hang up now because I'm almost there. In fact, I can see you outside the café.
Cuando estábamos a punto de llegar, se nos estropeó el carro.Our car broke down when we were nearly there.
Examples
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