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    Senior Member mem286's Avatar
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    Default freak

    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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    Senior Member lauracipolla's Avatar
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    how about "ella es (muy) rara/ extraña/ estrafalaria"?

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    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?
    Last edited by vicente; 05-16-2008 at 10:52 PM.
    vicente

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    Senior Member mem286's Avatar
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    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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    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.
    vicente

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    Senior Member mem286's Avatar
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    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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    Are you translating the script?
    vicente

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    Senior Member mem286's Avatar
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    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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    Senior Member exxcéntrica's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by mem286
    BTW, I love that movie!!
    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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    Senior Member mem286's Avatar
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    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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