Need help with a word - English Spanish Translator Org: Translation Forum � Translators Forums

Sandy · 08-04-2008, 08:20 AM

Hello,

I work in the office at a stone quarry and most of our miners are from Mexico and I'm have trouble communicating with them.

There is one word that one of the men keeps repeating to me when he comes in to punch out at the end of the day. I'm not sure if I'm spelling it correctly because I can not find it in my spanish/english dictionary, but here's what it sounds like:

"Wampa"

Can anyone tell me the meaning of this word?

Thank you,
Sandy

exxc�ntrica · 08-04-2008, 11:09 AM

Definitley sounds like "guapa".

Hi, pretty/beautiful!

SandraT · 08-04-2008, 11:54 AM

Hi exx and Sandy, I think if the guy is Mexican, the meaning could be different. Guapa is definetely a Spanish word (from Spain). Even in Cuba, guapa or guapo means something different.

I have heard something like wampa in the countryside here in Cuba and it's something like partner or buddy but it's very farmer-like. I don't think this meaning applies either to Sandy's case.

I found this:

Quote:

a slang Spanish word in northern Mexico that was explained to me as meaning a man who lets his wife boss him around, and I think the idea of cuckold may have been involved as well (it wasn't cabr�n, however). Something like "henpecked."

SAndy, all the definitions found don't give us good meanings, so you'd better find out exactly what he is telling you and after you have the real and clear word, we can be of more help.

and this is from RAE:

Quote:

guampa

(Del quechua w�kkhra).

1. f. rur. Arg. y Ur. cuerno (‖ prolongaci�n �sea). (horn as in cows)

2. f. coloq. Ur. cuerno (‖ infidelidad matrimonial). Meter guampas.(to be unfaithful to your spouse)

Sandy · 08-04-2008, 12:38 PM

Thank you both.

He's using the word in a sentence with "bonita". Now that I see that the word is not spelled the way I had it, the meaning that exx gave me makes sence. And I have found it in my spanish/english dictionary.

Now, may I ask, how do I politely but firmly ask him to stop speaking to me like that? I am a married person and this is a place of business.

Sandy

SandraT · 08-04-2008, 01:09 PM

ok, now you have it. so you can tell him something like this:
Soy una mujer casada y quiero que me respetes (and I want some respect). Este es un lugar de trabajo.

I even asked my friend who lives in Mexico about the word... he explained the same about being unfaithful, so I'm happy you didn't spell it correctly.

gernt · 08-04-2008, 07:22 PM

Now I’m wondering how to say “bug off!”. “Déjame en paz, pendejo” is too long. "¡Ya, basta!" is closer but not crude enough. Maybe a muttered "pendejo", or does that even work in Mexico?

SandraT · 08-05-2008, 07:54 AM

bug off: l�rgate, pi�rdete, desapar�cete, esf�mate...(esf�mate como la espuma, vu�late como un papalote, etc....)
there are tons of ways to say this, but gernt, I don't think it will be appropiate for Sandy to tell him that. Being formal and talking seriously but firmly will be of more help in this case than being so rude to the guy. Unless the situation continues and then, she can use other words...don't you think?

and she can come back to us for more!!!

gernt · 08-05-2008, 10:54 AM

Por supuesto. Pero tenemos que tener la habilidad de reconocer estas cosas. Gracias.

Lárgate parece ser común por todas partes, ¿no?

08-04-2008, 08:20 AM	#1
Sandy New Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 2 Rep Power: 0	Need help with a word Hello, I work in the office at a stone quarry and most of our miners are from Mexico and I'm have trouble communicating with them. There is one word that one of the men keeps repeating to me when he comes in to punch out at the end of the day. I'm not sure if I'm spelling it correctly because I can not find it in my spanish/english dictionary, but here's what it sounds like: "Wampa" Can anyone tell me the meaning of this word? Thank you, Sandy

08-04-2008, 11:09 AM	#2
exxc�ntrica Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Spain Posts: 935 Rep Power: 756	Definitley sounds like "guapa". Hi, pretty/beautiful! __________________ �Aunque la conducta del marido sea censurable, aunque este se d� 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 s� misma." *Leyes de Manu (Libro Sagrado de la India*

08-04-2008, 01:09 PM	#5
SandraT Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Havana,Cuba Posts: 911 Rep Power: 808	ok, now you have it. so you can tell him something like this: Soy una mujer casada y quiero que me respetes (and I want some respect). Este es un lugar de trabajo. I even asked my friend who lives in Mexico about the word... he explained the same about being unfaithful, so I'm happy you didn't spell it correctly. __________________ _____________________________ [Have a nice day!!! ♥ Sandra T ♥

08-05-2008, 07:54 AM	#7
SandraT Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Havana,Cuba Posts: 911 Rep Power: 808	bug off: l�rgate, pi�rdete, desapar�cete, esf�mate...(esf�mate como la espuma, vu�late como un papalote, etc....) there are tons of ways to say this, but gernt, I don't think it will be appropiate for Sandy to tell him that. Being formal and talking seriously but firmly will be of more help in this case than being so rude to the guy. Unless the situation continues and then, she can use other words...don't you think? and she can come back to us for more!!! __________________ _____________________________ [Have a nice day!!! ♥ Sandra T ♥

08-05-2008, 10:54 AM	#8
gernt Contributing User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Tennessee Age: 63 Posts: 133 Rep Power: 331	Por supuesto. Pero tenemos que tener la habilidad de reconocer estas cosas. Gracias. Lárgate parece ser común por todas partes, ¿no? Last edited by gernt : 08-05-2008 at 11:07 AM.

08-04-2008, 12:38 PM	#4
Sandy New Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 2 Rep Power: 0	Thank you both. He's using the word in a sentence with "bonita". Now that I see that the word is not spelled the way I had it, the meaning that exx gave me makes sence. And I have found it in my spanish/english dictionary. Now, may I ask, how do I politely but firmly ask him to stop speaking to me like that? I am a married person and this is a place of business. Sandy

08-04-2008, 07:22 PM	#6
gernt Contributing User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Tennessee Age: 63 Posts: 133 Rep Power: 331	Now I’m wondering how to say “bug off!”. “Déjame en paz, pendejo” is too long. "¡Ya, basta!" is closer but not crude enough. Maybe a muttered "pendejo", or does that even work in Mexico?

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