This was a post from 1999 by JC (a blast from the past!) It has to do with Dominicanismos - if anyone is trying to learn Spanish, here's some catch phrases. I thought this was great.
JC
Guest Posts: n/a
Spanish w/ local color (dominicanismos) The Sequel
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Now we are going to focus on complete phrases that portrait the popular wisdom prevalent in all segments of society. This time with translation (no literal).
Entre Lucas y Juan Mej?a.- Between a rock and a hard place
M?s caliente que una vieja met?a en fiesta.- Hotter than an old woman on a party mood.
Amarrar los perros con longanizas.- To be very naive and give away opportunities to the enemies
Como la gatica de Mar?a Ramos que tira la piedra y esconde la mano.- Like somebody that appear very innocent but operates behind the scenes
Lo agarraron asando batatas.- He got caugh with his pants down
Darle soga a alguien.- Give some freedom to somebody with intention of curtail it later
Ni con Dios ni con el Diablo.- Neither with God or Evil
Conocer al cogo sentao.- To be so experienced in life as to know people intentions even when they don't give out any clues.
Acostarse con las gallinas.- To go to bed at the same time that the hens (it refers to the habit of many peasants of going to bed early in the evening since they have to wake up very early in the morning to labor in the fields)
Curarse en salud.- To practive prevention before a problem sets in
Hacerse el chivo loco.- To play dumb or unaware of any situation. To be irresponsible.
Como la jonda del diablo. To run with desperation
Abrir gas.- To run away
Por la bolita del mundo y el potecito de sangre.- When kids want to emphasize that they are telling the thruth they say this oath.
ponerse la cosa aj? Caribe.- When a situation turn uggly or dramatic
Poner los cachitos, pegar cuernos.- To stray in marriage
Saber m?s por viejo que por diablo.- To express that old age give the greatest wisdom of all.
Ir por la sombrita.- To walk below the shade of the trees
El coraz?n de la auyama s?lo lo sabe el cuchillo.- Only a person that is in the middle of a problem or issue can feel its intensity.
Gallina vieja da buen caldo.- Used commomly by mature women to express that their experience add to their sex appeal.
Armarse la de San Quint?n.- To start big trouble, confusion.
Estamos juntos pero no reburujao.- we may bew together as a group but it doesn?t means that we all are alike.
Desgaritarse como el diablo prendio en candela .- To run away with dramatic speed.
Mandarse a juyir.- To star running to escape from something or somebody
Desga?itarse el galillo.- To yell until the person almost lose his/her voice
Caerle a la conga (playing the drums).- To jump on somebody with the intention of beating him up.
Barriga llena, coraz?n contento.- When somebody has eaten well, his heart sing with happiness.
...And this one from my glotonous cousins in the campo:
Para comida perd?a mejor barriga romp?a.- Is better to eat until the stomach explodes than to trash away food.
If anybody disagrees with the translations, is fine with me. I just did this on the fly. Got it?
JC
Guest Posts: n/a
Spanish w/ local color (dominicanismos) The Sequel
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Now we are going to focus on complete phrases that portrait the popular wisdom prevalent in all segments of society. This time with translation (no literal).
Entre Lucas y Juan Mej?a.- Between a rock and a hard place
M?s caliente que una vieja met?a en fiesta.- Hotter than an old woman on a party mood.
Amarrar los perros con longanizas.- To be very naive and give away opportunities to the enemies
Como la gatica de Mar?a Ramos que tira la piedra y esconde la mano.- Like somebody that appear very innocent but operates behind the scenes
Lo agarraron asando batatas.- He got caugh with his pants down
Darle soga a alguien.- Give some freedom to somebody with intention of curtail it later
Ni con Dios ni con el Diablo.- Neither with God or Evil
Conocer al cogo sentao.- To be so experienced in life as to know people intentions even when they don't give out any clues.
Acostarse con las gallinas.- To go to bed at the same time that the hens (it refers to the habit of many peasants of going to bed early in the evening since they have to wake up very early in the morning to labor in the fields)
Curarse en salud.- To practive prevention before a problem sets in
Hacerse el chivo loco.- To play dumb or unaware of any situation. To be irresponsible.
Como la jonda del diablo. To run with desperation
Abrir gas.- To run away
Por la bolita del mundo y el potecito de sangre.- When kids want to emphasize that they are telling the thruth they say this oath.
ponerse la cosa aj? Caribe.- When a situation turn uggly or dramatic
Poner los cachitos, pegar cuernos.- To stray in marriage
Saber m?s por viejo que por diablo.- To express that old age give the greatest wisdom of all.
Ir por la sombrita.- To walk below the shade of the trees
El coraz?n de la auyama s?lo lo sabe el cuchillo.- Only a person that is in the middle of a problem or issue can feel its intensity.
Gallina vieja da buen caldo.- Used commomly by mature women to express that their experience add to their sex appeal.
Armarse la de San Quint?n.- To start big trouble, confusion.
Estamos juntos pero no reburujao.- we may bew together as a group but it doesn?t means that we all are alike.
Desgaritarse como el diablo prendio en candela .- To run away with dramatic speed.
Mandarse a juyir.- To star running to escape from something or somebody
Desga?itarse el galillo.- To yell until the person almost lose his/her voice
Caerle a la conga (playing the drums).- To jump on somebody with the intention of beating him up.
Barriga llena, coraz?n contento.- When somebody has eaten well, his heart sing with happiness.
...And this one from my glotonous cousins in the campo:
Para comida perd?a mejor barriga romp?a.- Is better to eat until the stomach explodes than to trash away food.
If anybody disagrees with the translations, is fine with me. I just did this on the fly. Got it?