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  1. #1
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    Default macana??

    Can someone please explain what "que macana" means? I get the feeling it has a negative connotation. Thanks!

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    Default Re: macana??

    Quote Originally Posted by amayo View Post
    Can someone please explain what "que macana" means? I get the feeling it has a negative connotation. Thanks!
    It means something like, "what a pain."

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    Default Re: macana??

    According to the Diccionario de Americanismos this phrase is an spontaneous interjection used to express disappointment. The source indicates that is used in Bolivia, Paraguay, Argentina, Uruguay, Ecuador and Peru.

    Here is the link: Diccionario de americanismos | Asociación de Academias de la Lengua Española

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    Default Re: macana??

    a 'Macana' is a mistake that creates a problem.

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    Default Re: macana??

    The translation of the idiom would be "What a shame!"

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    Default Re: macana??

    Quote Originally Posted by chris.r View Post
    It means something like, "what a pain."
    IMHO, I don't think it has a negative connotation. It is just an expression which could be translated as "what a pain!" or "that's terrible"

    Person 1: Ayer tuve un accidente de transito en la autopista. Menos mal fue leve. Mi auto va a estar en el taller por tres semanas
    Person 2: Que macana! Y no tienes otro auto que puedas usar durante esas tres semanas?

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    Default Re: macana??

    Yeah, you can say "macana" regarding the problem, but too regarding the action that originates the problem, for example "he made a Macana", in spanish we say "se mandó una macana", he made a mistake that originate a problem.

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    Default Re: macana??

    Okay, so it´s not so much a negative comment, so much as it's a comment made regarding something negative. Thanks for the clarification!

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