Spanish Word of the Day
June 10th, 2014 at 11:23:09 AM permalink | |
Pacomartin Member since: Oct 24, 2012 Threads: 1068 Posts: 12569 |
It's not the body part that is possessive, it's the adjective that proceeds it. Tengo el pelo negro. - correct Spanish I have the black hair. - incorrect English because we don't use the definite article I have black hair. My hair is black. - English often uses the possessive article. |
June 10th, 2014 at 12:31:53 PM permalink | |
Nareed Member since: Oct 24, 2012 Threads: 346 Posts: 12545 |
In common, every-day usage, the article use is possesive. If grammar books say otherwise, they should find another fetish to worship. If you look through my posts, here and elsewhere, you'll find I often say things like "it's as if..." rather than "it's like..." and "as I said" rather than "like I said." Those are grammar fetishes. Donald Trump is a one-term LOSER |
June 10th, 2014 at 1:29:36 PM permalink | |
Pacomartin Member since: Oct 24, 2012 Threads: 1068 Posts: 12569 |
I'm trying to understand what you are saying. Which way would you translate "My hair is black"? 1) Tengo el pelo negro. 2) Mi pelo es negro. |
June 10th, 2014 at 1:35:23 PM permalink | |
Nareed Member since: Oct 24, 2012 Threads: 346 Posts: 12545 |
It depends on context and other thigns. But both options are right. Donald Trump is a one-term LOSER |
June 14th, 2014 at 10:52:48 PM permalink | |
Wizard Administrator Member since: Oct 23, 2012 Threads: 239 Posts: 6095 | Sorry to have not posted for a while. However, I wanted to mention that I tried to order two hot dogs from one of those stands that sells the Tijuana-style hot dog that is wrapped in bacon and served with onions and peppers. Although she was clearly catering to a Mexican customer base, her cart said "hot dogs" on it. Nevertheless, I asked for "dos perros calientes, por favor." She snickered to her friend and then answered back in English regarding what toppings I wanted on them. Image source: http://i364.photobucket.com/albums/oo85/exile_kiss/2009_09_Sep/09_09_05_Tijuana_072.jpg Knowledge is Good -- Emil Faber |
June 14th, 2014 at 11:21:37 PM permalink | |
Pacomartin Member since: Oct 24, 2012 Threads: 1068 Posts: 12569 |
The phrase "hot dog" is a peculiarly American invention of the late 19th century. Spanish for sausage is "salchicha". I see places on the web where hot dog is translated, but I don't ever remember seeing it translated on a cart. Hot dogs and hamburgers are popular street food everywhere in Mexico, but as you go farther south you see them less and less as people eat more traditional foods. |
June 15th, 2014 at 7:04:28 AM permalink | |
Nareed Member since: Oct 24, 2012 Threads: 346 Posts: 12545 |
I warned you. Donald Trump is a one-term LOSER |
June 15th, 2014 at 7:22:24 AM permalink | |
Pacomartin Member since: Oct 24, 2012 Threads: 1068 Posts: 12569 |
To be fair it isn't a proper name, and it does appear (rarely) on the web. Perrito caliente - Wikipedia The fact that an image search did not produce one photo of a sign, tells me that it isn't commonly used. |
June 15th, 2014 at 8:17:02 AM permalink | |
Nareed Member since: Oct 24, 2012 Threads: 346 Posts: 12545 |
I've said that, too. Donald Trump is a one-term LOSER |
June 15th, 2014 at 8:52:37 AM permalink | |
Pacomartin Member since: Oct 24, 2012 Threads: 1068 Posts: 12569 | Around 1870, on Coney Island, German immigrant Charles Feltman began selling sausages in rolls. The use of the term "dog" for a sausage was commonplace by the 1880's, but dates back decades to the common accusation that the sausages contained dog meat. Nathan's used to dress people in surgical garb and have them eat at the stands so that people believed that doctors considered them healthy. The phrase "hot dog" dates to baseball games around the turn of the century. |