mem286

What do you think is the best word in spanish for "freak", as in "She's a freak", meaning she's unusual. I've seen it translated as "montruo" or "fenómeno" but I don't like any of them. Any ideas? Thanks in advance!

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lauracipolla

how about "ella es (muy) rara/ extraña/ estrafalaria"?

vicente

Hi mem!!!

What is the context of "unusual" in this instance?

Freak, by definition means unusual in the extreme.

In the U.S. the word freak covers a lot of territory. It can mean something either good or bad depending on the context.

The old definition used to be monster (monstruo) but that hardly applies anymore.

Someone with extraordinary talent or physical attributes, a singer, dancer, athlete or a person with unusual intelligence or mental abilities could be called a freak (as in "freak of nature") and it would be a compliment, an acknowledgement of their ability. (fenómeno)

A person with very unusual or bizarre habits or mannerism could be called "freaky" or a freak but it could be good or bad depending on the person. A goofy acting person who does odd things but is still a nice person is a "good" freak. A person with unusually bad habits and weird mannerisms who is not well-liked would be a "bad" freak. (estrafalaria)

Everything depends on the context.

So, is there a word in Spanish that covers all these meanings or do you have to know which kind of freak you are referring to?

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vicente

mem286

Thanks Laura, thanks vicente for your replies...

It's much clearer now... Have you seen the movie "Sixth sense"? The little boy was called "freak" by his friends because he was kind of weird (he actually was, he could see dead people). That word is heard many times in that film and I remember it was translated as "monstruo" or "fenómeno". He says something like "My friends call me freak"... I don't like those words. I like Laura's suggestion... raro/a... what do you think?

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vicente

Was he evil? Did he do bad stuff. (little monster ) Or did he just have extraordinary powers (seeing dead people). I'd go with strange (raro) in that case. Freak is a little strong for a child, don't you think? Kids call each other freak or freaky all the time but for an adult to call a kid a freak is a little too much for me.

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vicente

mem286

No, no... he was a sweet, beautiful kid... just different, with extraordinary powers I don't envy at all. They were his friends at school who used to call him that way. I've found the script... here's the part I mentioned before:

Conversation between Cole (the boy) and Malcolm, the doctor:

MALCOLM
You ever tell her about how it is with Tommy?

COLE
I don't tell her a thing.

MALCOLM
Why?

COLE
Cause she doesn't look at me like everybody and I don't want her to.
I don't want her to know.

MALCOLM
Know what?

COLE
That I'm a freak.

Malcolm stops walking. The words hit him hard. He stares at Cole.

MALCOLM
Listen to me. You are not a freak. Don't you believe anybody that tells you that. It's bullshit and you don't have to grow up believing
that.

Beat. Cole is surprised.

COLE
You said the "s" word.

MALCOLM
Yeah. Sorry.

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vicente

Are you translating the script?

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vicente

mem286

haha no vicente... It was just an example (a perfect one) of what I was looking for... Thank you very much!

BTW, I love that movie!!

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exxcéntrica

So did I....really freaky!!!

Pues, yo creo que en la película sí lo tradujeron bien como "monstruo", ya que raro quedaría demasiado suave en España al menos. Yo creo que los compañeros del colegio sí le llamarían monstruo al niño en cuestión.

Mi marido suele parafrasear:

Es más raro que un perro verde.

Es más raro que una vaca llevada en brazos.

Es más raro que huevo con cejas.

Es más raro que diente de gallina.

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“Aunque la conducta del marido sea censurable, aunque este se dé a otros amores, la mujer virtuosa debe reverenciarlo como a un dios. Durante la infancia, una mujer debe depender de su padre, al casarse de su marido, si este muere, de sus hijos y si no los tuviera, de su soberano. Una mujer nunca debe gobernarse a sí misma."

Leyes de Manu (Libro Sagrado de la India

mem286

Hola EXX!!!!!!!!!!!! Welcome back!!!!!!!!!!!

Está bueno lo de tu marido jajaja. Es difícil encontrar una palabra en español que implique lo mismo que "freak" en Inglés, no?

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