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Hi all,
I'm not sure if this technically qualifies as "slang," but a friend of mine from Argentina has been visiting the US for a little less than a month now, and he keeps describing it as un pais generoso. He tried to explain the meaning to me but I just didn't quite get it. Anyone able to clarify? I understand the literal translation, but that usually tends to be waayyy wrong! Thanks!
Leslie
Hi Leslie, it's a very common expression in Argentina. We use it, for example, when we see a person with zero talent ice-skating on TV and making a fortune..., or a "top-model" with her own reality TV show, or a politician that never really goes to work except at the end of each month to collect his payment. What a generous country!" we say.
By the way, politicians are often called "ñoquis" and if you're interested I'll explain in another post.
Hi mvictoria:)
Would you say then that it is not a complimentary phrase?
Hi there! That's an excellent explanation, MVictoria!;)
So, to sum up, "Argentina es un país generoso" or "¡Qué país generoso!" would lead to the idea that in this country some people get something positive while they don't deserve it.
You would use these expressions whenever you notice something unfair, such as the examples provided by MVictoria.
Well, definitely not... You can check my post above. If there's something you don't understand, I'd be glad to clarify it for you. :)Quote:
Originally Posted by vicente
Oh, I understand your post. I just wanted to make sure that the phrase didn't have a nicer meaning because it would appear that les8874's friend was being something less than a courteous visitor to the U.S. considering this comment: "a friend of mine from Argentina has been visiting the US for a little less than a month now, and he keeps describing it as un pais generoso."Quote:
Originally Posted by Guadalupe
I see your point now, too, Vicente! I assumed that Leslie's friend was referring to Argentina (though the proximate antecedent for it is "U.S.", as you point out) to use the expression in the sense we generally use it (to make reference to our country)... Perhaps, Leslie can help us on that...Quote:
Originally Posted by vicente
Ooops! I hadn't thought the friend might be referring to Argentina! The sentence could be taken either way now that you mention it Guadalupe:) Assumptions get me in trouble all the time!
Haha! And I hadn't thought the friend might be referring to the U.S. until you mentioned it :pQuote:
Originally Posted by vicente
hi all,
just wanted to say that i enjoyed this thread...from the expression to the meaning to the assumptions!
good one!:D
Thanks, Dragona!!! Yes, it was really funny! :pQuote:
Originally Posted by Dragona
Gosh, I was without internet for five days and missed all of this! Sorry if I caused confusion, by US I meant the United States of America, not Argentina! How should I refer to the States? There are the "politically correct" or more global ways and then the ways I'm just used to at home. I'm from near Washington DC so especially around here we just say the US or "America" (which drives me nuts, since I know that's not exclusively us)... though neither is the name United States if we're being picky...Quote:
Originally Posted by Guadalupe
The explanation of the phrase makes sense though. He would definitely use it when he saw things like what you described. Thanks for explaining it!
Hi les:)
To my knowledge there are no politically correct or incorrect ways to refer to the United States. Certainly none I have ever heard of. (Well, maybe The Great Satan! might be a little unpopular:rolleyes: )
When writing I use U.S., US, USA; never United States and rarely America simply because I'm lazy and like the short version (and also because, as you said, we aren't the "only" America). When I'm in a Spanish-speaking country I will say los Estados Unidos.
Hi, Leslie! Of course I understand U.S. means United States. We also understand America and the States, as you explained.
My doubt arose as to the expression used by your friend: did he/she referred to Argentina or to the States?
For our explanations, I assumed that he/she was referring to Argentina. Otherwise, as Vicente pointed out, your friend would be "something less than a courteous visitor to the U.S."
I hope you find it useful :)
The correct acronym for it being "EE.UU." in Spanish.Quote:
Originally Posted by vicente
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Originally Posted by Guadalupe
Guadalupe, I learned that when I first started studying Spanish and I never knew why and never asked why they use double letters instead of just "E.U". Do you know?
Hi, Vicente! Well, double letters indicate that the acronym or abbreviation has its origin in a plural word. Examples include:Quote:
Originally Posted by vicente
Note that "E.U.A." and "EUA" are also possible to refer to the USA in Spanish, though they are not commonly used in Argentina. USA, however, is not correct in Spanish, but frequently used due to the global influence of English.
- Estados Unidos: EE.UU.
- Fuerzas Armadas: FF.AA.
- Recursos Humanos: RR.HH.
- Relaciones Públicas: RR.PP.
:)
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Originally Posted by Guadalupe
Now I know!! A simple explanation. I'm glad I asked. Thanks Guadalupe!;)
Great, Vicente! I'd like to share this phrase with you:Quote:
Originally Posted by vicente
I love to doubt as well as know. — Dante Alighieri :cool:
For I think the secret of knowing lies in doubting.
hahaha! That's my favorite.Quote:
Originally Posted by vicente