Phrase of the week (May 23rd)

[Ben]

"No doy abasto...."

That's how I feel right now, any idea what it means? Any phrases you've picked up this week and want to share?

[Marbella]

"No doy abasto...."



Could mean you are v busy? (abasto: not to be able to have a rest/not to be able to cope). Normally I'd cheat and ask Riojana but she's away :( .

I'm between contracts so what is the opposite of "No doy abasto..."??


My phrase this week comes from the Tremlett book (see my other post):

"Mucho ruido y pocas nueces"

Not difficult to translate but what does a Spaniard mean when they say that? There are some good English phrases that mean the same thing.

[Ben]

Could mean you are v busy?
Exactly. Can't cope with the amount of work I have to do!

[Marina]

"No doy abasto" - One opposite could be "Hoy no he hecho ni el huevo" bu it is much more informal than "No doy abasto". I'll try to think of a bettter one.

"Mucho ruido y pocas nueces" can be used when someones speaks a lot about one particular thing, but then he/she doesn't take it into action.

[Marbella]

"No doy abasto" - One opposite could be "Hoy no he hecho ni el huevo" bu it is much more informal than "No doy abasto". I'll try to think of a bettter one..

Yes please. Something like, "I've got too much time on my hands" would be fun.

"Mucho ruido y pocas nueces" can be used when someones speaks a lot about one particular thing, but then he/she doesn't take it into action.

Yes, "all show and no substance" was the translation he used but there are also more colorful phrases in English similar to that.

I wonder how the reference to walnuts came about? Perhaps something to do with the harvesting of walnuts being a noisy process?

[lifeinperu]

I wonder how the reference to walnuts came about? Perhaps something to do with the harvesting of walnuts being a noisy process?

Nueces = walnuts . . . or any kind of nut?

[Marina]

I think it probably has to do with the noise of peeling walnuts.
For example if most of them are off inside it would be too much noise and for few nuts.

[Marbella]

I think it probably has to do with the noise of peeling walnuts.
For example if most of them are off inside it would be too much noise and for few nuts.

That's a far more plausible explanation.

Thanks Marina.

[richardksa]

"Mucho ruido y pocas nueces" - He talks a good job!

A favourite epression where I work is, "Too many clowns, not enough circuses". How would you translate that?

[Polly]

muchos mas payasos, pero no bastantes circos ??

A similar phrase in use where I work is "Too many Chiefs, not enough Indians" particularly cheeky, as I work at for Native American-owned company ;)

muchos mas jefes, pero no bastantes indios. ??

[ValenciaSon]

Reminds me of : "lots of flash but little substance".

[gary]

"Mucho ruido y pocas nueces"

Not difficult to translate but what does a Spaniard mean when they say that? There are some good English phrases that mean the same thing.
"All fur coat and no knickers" as grandma might have said after a sherry or two....

[Marbella]

"All fur coat and no knickers"

Yep, that's the one I was thinking of too! Don't know if it is because I lived in N Yorkshire for 5 years.

[gary]

Yep, that's the one I was thinking of too! Don't know if it is because I lived in N Yorkshire for 5 years.

Yeah, it is a Northern saying - tha knows, whippets, flat caps and dry wit....

Grandads favourite was

See all hear all, say nowt
Sup all eat all, pay nowt
And if tha does owt for nowt do it for thi sen

[ValenciaSon]

How about this one: "Vale la pena".

[Rania]

buen hilo

[JackMcG]

.......

"Mucho ruido y pocas nueces"

Not difficult to translate but what does a Spaniard mean when they say that? There are some good English phrases that mean the same thing.

We say...." All talk and no action"!

[Lorna G]

Could also be -Where leaves of words most abound, much fruit of sense is seldom found.;)

[mightykaboosh]

We say...." All talk and no action"!


So do you say: tu tienes mucho ruido y poco nueces, for you are all talk and no action?

[JackMcG]

So do you say: tu tienes mucho ruido y poco nueces, for you are all talk and no action?


I don't think you would say "tu tienes" with the quote but that is the basic idea. It seems to be a saying used mostly in Spain. My wife who is Nicaraguan has never heard the saying.
Here is what I found when I "googled" it!

http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&aq=0&oq=mucho+ruido&ie=UTF-8&rlz=1T4ACAW_en___US353&q=mucho+ruido+y+pocas+nueces

She did know the use of "No doy abasto"!

[ddmars]

Some good stuff on here (http://www.bbc.co.uk/languages/spanish/cool/), specially if you look in the Arguments section:o

¡Me importa como tres cojones! is my personal favourite!!

Cheers

Darren

PS - sorry if the above remark offended anyone!