Phrases with Dar - Which do you like?

[Ben]

Dar en la diana - to get something right

E.g. ʻHe dado en la diana. He acertado quien era el asesino', meaning ʻI guessed right. I knew who the killer was!' (from our phrasebook (http://www.notesinspanish.com/store/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=113))


Another I like is dar lo mismo, e.g.:

Me da lo mismo - I don't mind (for example when someone asks if you prefer a big meal or just tapas for supper).

Over to you, what's your favourite phrase with Dar?

[Elvis]

En lugar de diciendo, no tengo preferencia, es mas fácil decir, me da igual, un frase muy común en esta zona.

[eldeano]

All this 'phrases with dar' nonsense me da asco - it makes me sick! ;)

[Ben]

All this 'phrases with dar' nonsense me da asco - it makes me sick! ;)
Solo quiero darle un empujón a la gente que quiere aprender español

Dar un empujón - to give someone (or something, like a piece of work) a push / a bit of encouragement

[eldeano]

Me gusta eso. Ben, me has dado carta blanca para poner muchas frases.

[ValenciaSon]

Que mas da?

[eldeano]

Que mas da?

Vas a dar pábulo a comadreos que no sabes usar las tildes.

[ValenciaSon]

Vas a dar pábulo a comadreos que no sabes usar las tildes.No me des la lata.

[eldeano]

No me des la lata.

Yo no doy paso sin huarache. :smug:

[Berti]

A few which I never knew, but have heard here and try to use when the opportunity arises. So far, in my life in Spain, I have not had to personally use the last example and hope to continue avoid needing to.:hammer:


Dar con / to find.

No pude dar con los motives de la huegla.

Dar de comer / to feed

Tengo que dar de comer a mi buitre.

Dar en / to hit.

!Yo regresé muy tarde y me dio en la cabeza con su rodillo!

[ValenciaSon]

Yo no doy paso sin huarache. :smug:Y yo no doy leche a los gatos malos:naughty:

[ValenciaSon]

Dar la luz- to give birth, I always found that one rather poetic.

[eldeano]

Y yo no doy leche a los gatos malos:naughty:

Me gusta dar suelta a la lengua de vez en cuando.

[ValenciaSon]

Me gusta dar suelta a la lengua de vez en cuando.Doy cuenta.

[eldeano]

Me Doy cuenta.

:thumbs-up:

[ValenciaSon]

:thumbs-up:Me no es necesario porque el verbo doy es de primera persona.

[eldeano]

Me no es necesario porque el verbo doy es de primera persona.

Entonces, ¿qué significa 'doy cuenta'?

[ValenciaSon]

Entonces, ¿qué significa 'doy cuenta'?Que a uno le da cuenta pero del perspectivo de primera persona.

[eldeano]

Que a uno le da cuenta pero del perspectivo de primera persona.

Pero alguien puede 'darse cuenta' o 'dar cuenta de algo'. Cada una significa algo distinto. Me parece que alguien puede 'me doy cuenta' (as in I realise) o 'doy cuenta de' (as I account for, shed light on something). ¿Qué te parece?

[ValenciaSon]

Pero alguien puede 'darse cuenta' o 'dar cuenta de algo'. Cada una significa algo distinto. Me parece que alguien puede 'me doy cuenta' (as in I realise) o 'doy cuenta de' (as I account for, shed light on something). ¿Qué te parece?Me doy cuenta que me equivoque y que tienes razon, gato.

[eldeano]

Me doy cuenta que me equivoque y que tienes razon, gato.

:blush:

[eldeano]

Me doy cuenta que me equivoque y que tienes razon, gato.

En esta ocasión, VS, te he dado la sopa con honda. :cool:

[Pepino]

Me da mucha pena ver alguien tener que pedir disculpas al Gato. Espero que no le de mucha verguenza a Valenciason. :)

[eldeano]

Me da mucha pena ver alguien tener que pedir disculpas al Gato. Espero que no le de mucha verguenza a Valenciason. :)

A ti no te doy ni cinco de pelota. ;)

[gastephen]

Me gusta la frase "dar en el clavo".

[richardksa]

Me gusta la frase "dar en el clavo".
Just a little niggle. Could you all give the English meanings to your expressions. "To give in a clove", means nada. I want to be educated, not puzzled.

[eldeano]

Good you all ...

I good if you good. :)

[richardksa]

I good if you good. :)
It was late!!! Now edited correctly.:blush::blush:

[eldeano]

Could you all give the English meanings to your expressions.

That would make it too easy. Wouldn't you remember it better if you had to do a little investigating (dictionary, wordreference, for example) instead?

[gastephen]

Just a little niggle. Could you all give the English meanings to your expressions. "To give in a clove", means nada. I want to be educated, not puzzled.

Yo creo que en su último comentario eldeano ha dado en el clavo. No obstante, he aquí una pista: en esta frase dar significa to hit y un clavo es a nail.

[richardksa]

That would make it too easy. Wouldn't you remember it better if you had to do a little investigating (dictionary, wordreference, for example) instead?

No. I see this site as just as much a resource as those you mentioned, which I do use as well. With useful threads like this I copy-paste all the explanations into a file for future reference. Not much use if the reference only makes me go find another!!

Yo creo que en su último comentario eldeano ha dado en el clavo. No obstante, he aquí una pista: en esta frase dar significa to hit y un clavo es a nail.

It was late and I only saw the "clove" meaning. I probably need new glasses or eyes. And none of the meaning of "dar" in my dictionary give "hit". Hence my confusion.

So, for me it would be useful to have both the Spanish phrase and its English equivilent side by side. And if it's useful for me, then it will be useful for others.

[Ben]

(I agree with Richard, great to have the translation here)

Venga Eldeano, ¿Qué mas te da? - What does it matter to you / is it really that important? :)

Here's another fave of mine:

¡Le voy a dar! - I'm going to hit / get him!

¡Te voy a dar! - I'm going to hit /get you!

Used on someone who has done something excruciatingly annoying. If you hear this directed at you, get out of the area fast!

[eldeano]

(I agree with Richard, great to have the translation here)

Venga Eldeano, ¿Qué mas te da? - What does it matter to you / is it really that important? :)

Of course it doesn't matter to me. However, I went to the (limited) effort of finding some phrases with dar to use appropriately in my exchange with VS - I'm sure he did the same. As a result, it has helped me to remember those phrases far better than just reading them in a post. I'll have a look at them a little later and give translations (or at least what I thought they meant!).

[tad]

'dar a' as to look out on e.g. Mi habitación del hotel dió a la calle.

¿Se puede decir 'Me da echar un polvo'? :rolleyes:(as in: I couldn't give a flying ..er ..shag).
Oops. Sorry.

[Ben]

Tad, no, but here's a very (very) rude one you might like:

Me da por culo - it really annoys me (e.g. the music from the Italians' flat across the street).

Here's another I like: Me da mucho asco - It revolts me, I find it disgusting

[ValenciaSon]

I'll have a look at them a little later and give translations (or at least what I thought they meant!).Date prisa!:rolleyes:

[ValenciaSon]

Me da mucha pena ver alguien tener que pedir disculpas al Gato. Espero que no le de mucha verguenza a Valenciason. :)Hay que dar el gato algo, de vez en cuando.

[jonk]

It's threads like this which remind me to redouble my efforts!

*reopens Real Phrases in Spanish*

[Ben]

I think we are ready for .... phrases with Hacer! (http://www.notesfromspain.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5764)

[tad]

Tengo que dar de comer a mi buitre.
'I have to feed my vulture'?
Is that an expression too or do you have strange pets?

[rod]

The one useful dar+ construction I couldn't understand in Spanish and had to have it explained in English for me was "dar por" + participle

For example,

Lo doy por perdido.

The best way to translate 'dar por' is as 'to consider', so that for example the above would be:

I consider it lost.

(the Spanish explanation of this construction was along the lines of to finalize an action that could continue, which I couldn't get my head round).

[xan]

Dar la luz- to give birth, I always found that one rather poetic.

dar a luz, if I am not mistaken. And yes, it is a nice expression. Much better than ¨give birth to":

[xan]

The one useful dar+ construction I couldn't understand in Spanish and had to have it explained in English for me was "dar por" + participle

For example,

Lo doy por perdido.

The best way to translate 'dar por' is as 'to consider', so that for example the above would be:

I consider it lost.

(the Spanish explanation of this construction was along the lines of to finalize an action that could continue, which I couldn't get my head round).

Don´t forget the reflexive form, also handy.

no se dió por vencido.

[ValenciaSon]

dar a luz, if I am not mistaken. And yes, it is a nice expression. Much better than ¨give birth to":I've heard and seen it both ways.

[eldeano]

Me gusta eso. Ben, me has dado carta blanca para poner muchas frases.

I like this. Ben, you've given me carte blache for lots of phrases.

Vas a dar pábulo a comadreos que no sabes usar las tildes.

You are going to give rise to rumours that you don't know how to use accents.

No me des la lata.

Don't be a pain.

Yo no doy paso sin huarache. :smug:

I don't do anything for free.

Y yo no doy leche a los gatos malos:naughty:

And I don't give milk to bad cats.

Me gusta dar suelta a la lengua de vez en cuando.

I like to talk a lot from time to time.

En esta ocasión, VS, te he dado la sopa con honda. :cool:

On this occasion, VS, I have outshone you.

Me da mucha pena ver alguien tener que pedir disculpas al Gato. Espero que no le de mucha verguenza a Valenciason. :)

I feel really sorry for someone who has to apologize to the wonderful cat. I hope that VS isn't too embarrassed.

A ti no te doy ni cinco de pelota. ;)

I'm ignoring you.

Phew! Ben/Sir R, no more complaining. :naughty:

[ValenciaSon]

I like this. Ben, you've given me carte blache for lots of phrases.



You are going to give rise to rumours that you don't know how to use accents.



Don't be a pain.



I don't do anything for free.



And I don't give milk to bad cats.



I like to talk a lot from time to time.



On this occasion, VS, I have outshone you.



I feel really sorry for someone who has to apologize to the wonderful cat. I hope that VS isn't too embarrassed.



I'm ignoring you.

Phew! Ben/Sir R, no more complaining. :naughty:

You missed a few.

[ValenciaSon]

Date prisa!:rolleyes:

Hay que dar el gato algo, de vez en cuando.

You missed a few.

Y estos que? No te dan importancia?

[tad]

Me da mucha pena ver alguien tener que pedir disculpas al Gato. Espero que no le de mucha verguenza a Valenciason. :)


I feel really sorry for someone who has to apologize to the wonderful cat. I hope that VS isn't too embarrassed.

Dónde dijo lo de 'wonderful'?

[eldeano]

Y estos que? No te dan importancia?

They're your quotes - you explain them. I'm watching the footy. The only reason I used one of yours in my explanation was to show the flow of the exchanges.

[eldeano]

Dónde dijo lo de 'wonderful'?

Artistic licence. :painter:

[gastephen]

'I have to feed my vulture'?
Is that an expression too or do you have strange pets?

Well, my hovercraft is full of eels (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6D1YI-41ao)...

[tad]

Well, my hovercraft is full of eels (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6D1YI-41ao)...
Ah, that's what Acosta was on about (http://www.notesfromspain.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3255&highlight=hovercraft&page=3)

[gastephen]

Ah, that's what Acosta was on about (http://www.notesfromspain.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3255&highlight=hovercraft&page=3)

I'd imagine so. Did he ever make references to Doug and Dinsdale, the Pirahna brothers; Bicycle Repair Man; Anton Chekov's The Cherry Orchard performed by Gumby Theatre; The Trondheim Hammer Dance; The Ministry of Silly Walks; or ex parrots (Norweigan Blue), by any chance?

[yunouguaramin]

Dar la luz- to give birth, I always found that one rather poetic.

'Dar la luz' significa encender la lámpara o poner en marcha la corriente eléctrica. Lights on!

'Dar a luz' is the one rather poetic.

[tad]

Did he ever make references to Doug and Dinsdale, the Pirahna brothers;...
No, he came out with it apropo popular Spanish phrases. I just thought he'd gone completely bonkers.

[Urgellenk]

Me gusta dar suelta a la lengua de vez en cuando.

I believe the right version should be "dar rienda suelta", like in to give free rein to your imagination.

Darle a alguien por hacer algo is to decide or feel like doing something. Like in "me dio por ir al cine".

[DocMolly]

I hope I'm not repeating ones already added. I tried to read through all of them. How about...

Dar de alta. (To discharge... as in from the hospital.)
Me da igual. (It's all the same to me).
Dar a entender. (To imply).

[xan]

darle a uno por...


a veces me da por discutir con mi mujer
a ella le da por ser preguntona
le da por cantar en la ducha

Un buen día le dio por ponerse a dibujar, y ahora no es capaz de dejarlo.

o sea, he/she likes to, is given to, etc, took it into his/her head to do x
Creo que conlleva cierta idea de capricho.

[xan]

here's a good one.

Quite rude in its full version

"que le den por culo"

but with the rude bits understood and a certain cloak of ambiguity "que le den" is heard in a lot of unexpected places. And I expect it mystifies a lot of language learners. Consider:

"Manolo, el jefe quiere el reportaje para el lunes"
"pues, que le den"

=> Manolo is not suggesting that someone give his boss the report, but saying that the boss can get stuffed.

[deebee]

describing one's house the expression - mi casa dar el rio. my house looks over the river.

is that right?

[Beckett]

describing one's house the expression - mi casa da al rio. my house looks over the river.

is that right?

Yes, that's right. It can also mean "faces" or "facing" when referring to a location....."My house faces the river."

[El Confuso]

"darle la razón" is not "to give someone the reason for" but "to agree someone is correct"

Me doy cuenta que me equivoque y que tienes razon, gato.

ValenciaSon le dió la razón a eldeano.

To strengthen the idea, "darle toda la razon" = to be in complete agreement with someone

[delgado]

I kinda like this phrase ....

Dar mil vueltas a algo/alguien

I guess it would be translated as something like .. much better than , runs rings around , knocks the spots off..etc..


esta ciudad da mil vueltas a londres = this city is much better than london

[jubilee]

This week I read dar contencion and from the context it looks as if it means the opposite to my first guess... Something like give support/comfort (rather than oppose!)?? Where would be a good place to look this up? Couldn't find it in wordreference.

[El Confuso]

This week I read dar contencion and from the context it looks as if it means the opposite to my first guess... Something like give support/comfort (rather than oppose!)?? Where would be a good place to look this up? Couldn't in wordreference.

I was not familiar with the word, so I looked it up myself. Contención could be added to the list of Falsos Amigos. You are correct that it does not mean "contention"; it's more like "containment", from the verb contener.

You can find this on the WordReference site in the monolingual Spanish dictionary: http://www.wordreference.com/definicion/contencion

An easy way to use another good source is to type this directly in the address line of your browser: rae.es/<your word>. In this case: rae.es/contención.

Both sources give the same example -- muro de contención -- which I think could be translated as "restraining wall"

Often, either source will give some common phrases or idioms using the word, but in this case neither source lists the phrase dar contención. My gut instinct attempt at translation was simply "to contain" in the sense of restraining or preventing the spread of something.

Another trick which sometimes helps is to Google dar contención. I wonder if I found the same article (or similar) story that you did: http://noticias.iruya.com/content/view/17327/413/ A direct explanatory quote from that page:
Por cierto, lo de "dar contención a las familias anegadas" puede entenderse como "brindar ayuda a las familias cuyas viviendas resultaron anegadas".
That usage doesn't fit perfectly with my guess. From the comment itself, it appears that the meaning in this context might not be totally clear to some native speakers. Maybe the idea here is "damage control", that is, containing the damage already experienced by the victims.

[delgado]

correct me if i´m wrong but i think that dar contención means to help-support someone in the sense of "to put a roof over their head in times of need" but I think that as el confuso said , without the verb "dar" it is used in the sense of damage control/limiting the damage

[El Confuso]

correct me if i´m wrong but i think that dar contención means to help-support someone in the sense of "to put a roof over their head in times of need" but I think that as el confuso said , without the verb "dar" it is used in the sense of damage control/limiting the damage

Yes, delgado, I agree with your idea. I'm not sure what's going on -- the first time I tried the WordReference Spanish-to-English dictionary I got no results, but now I do (maybe just a typo on my part). Alternate translations for muro de contención are dike or dame. There are many threads in the WordReference forum on contención, and "protection" and "support", maybe even "solace" appear to be possible meanings. Strange, as jubilee noted, the very different, almost opposite meanings of this word. Rechecking the rae.es/contención page, I also see that "contention" is apparently a valid meaning, also.

[greytop]

...Alternate translations for muro de contención are dike or dame. ...dike or dam ? (or maybe dyke or dame);D
Collins complete has contención = containment / containing. Many of the Google results for dar contención seem to come from Argentina so it's maybe more common there to describe actions that limit the damage caused by some event.

[El Confuso]

dike or dam ? (or maybe dyke or dame);D


Oops! Pardon my blunder. I must have been tyred.

It hadn't occurred to me, but you may be right on target about the usage in Argentina as well. One of the threads in the WordReference forum mentioned a type of one-time survivors' benefit paid (by the government) in Argentina, and the formal term for this benefit contained the word "contención."

[imc]

Hay van un par más:

Se dio a la bebida

Me han dado el día

[greytop]

From a LasProvincias article (http://www.lasprovincias.es/valencia/20081012/valenciana/espanoles-casa-caridad-20081012.html)about changing pattern of those with low resources who need help to eat.

Hasta hace algunos meses, los inmigrantes eran los usuarios mayoritarios del comedor que ofrece el centro (la Casa de Caridad). Hoy en día, los españoles han dado la vuelta a la tortilla y son ellos lo que acaparan la gran parte de la asistencia alimenticia.