Need help figuring this out... - English Spanish Translator Org: Translation Forum � Translators Forums

AllyKat · 09-10-2009, 02:21 PM

Hello...

I have been working at a (horse racing) track daily for about 4 months. I do not understand much Spanish and speak even less. I have been given kind of a nickname from a couple of the riders and I am trying to figure out what it means. To me it sounded like he was saying "arrr tour O" which the closest I could find online was "el turro" or "la turra"... which basically led me to the conclusion of: bad, evil, obnoxious... broken, of poor quality, ugly... and pain in the ass. These do not fit my actions, appearance or the situation.

Then today I had my work partner listen to him and we found out he was saying: La Dura (or something like that).

For some back ground information and to put it into context: The man that started using the term is from Mexico (near Cancun... Moctezuma I think). He also says it in a sing-song kinda voice and it doesnt sound derogatory or mean really. Also I am a 25 y/o female. Let me know if you guys need any more information.

Thank You,

-Ally-

P.S. My partner asked one of the other guys that doesn't say it to me but talks to the guy that does what he was saying..... (la dura is what he told us... he says it means strong person... my partner has a theory on their meaning of it... but I would like to hear some of your responses before putting it out there). Thanks again!

SandraT · 09-11-2009, 08:15 AM

HI Allykat,
La Dura means The Tough One, the Strong One, so it is not mean at all.
When a girl here plays "La Dura" she is not easy catch for men. She gets men to respect her. This is one meaning; the other meaning could be a person with strong and hard feelings, not the crying, emotional, sensitive type of girl. Either of them is ok for you, I guess.

AllyKat · 09-11-2009, 08:27 AM

Thanks so much.... lol. much better than my partner's theory. This guy has been flirting for about a month with me. i was worried it was something bad... haha. The literal meaning was confusing me.

SandraT · 09-11-2009, 09:05 AM

Quote:

his guy has been flirting for about a month with me.

LOL...if you had given this context before, it would have been even easier.

AllyKat · 09-11-2009, 12:20 PM

haha.... Well when he says it it sounds like an endearment. But then the other riders started saying it so I was worried it had a bad connotation. He speaks fluent English but he didn't tell me what it meant. Your translation was right on for the situation.

Thanks again!

vicente · 09-11-2009, 12:50 PM

Hi Sandra!

Saludos mi amiga!

The English phrase (in the US) is "...hard to get".

When used with the verb "play or playing", as in "She is playing hard to get" it usually means the girl is interested in a particular man who is flirting with her, and maybe even eager to go out with him but she does not want to appear to be too eager.

If a girl is said to be simply "hard to get" it means, as you said, she is isn't interested or she is very discerning about who she dates.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SandraT

HI Allykat,
La Dura means The Tough One, the Strong One, so it is not mean at all.
When a girl here plays "La Dura" she is not easy catch for men. She gets men to respect her. This is one meaning; the other meaning could be a person with strong and hard feelings, not the crying, emotional, sensitive type of girl. Either of them is ok for you, I guess.

SandraT · 09-11-2009, 12:56 PM

Hi my friend vicente, it's been a while...

Quote:

When used with the verb "play or playing", as in "She is playing hard to get" it usually means the girl is interested in a particular man who is flirting with her,

that is exactly what I meant. when a girl plays la dura, she is difficult to get but still interested. if not, then she simply rejects the man.Sorry if I was not too clear explaning it.

I have myself played la dura a few times in my life...LOL!!!
Thanks for helping me here!!!

vicente · 09-11-2009, 01:03 PM

On the contrary Sandra! Your explanation was excellent, as always! I just wanted to tell you what the English phrase was.

Quote:

I have myself played la dura a few times in my life...LOL!!!

I can only imagine the trail of broken hearts you have left behind!!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by SandraT

Hi my friend vicente, it's been a while...

that is exactly what I meant. when a girl plays la dura, she is difficult to get but still interested. if not, then she simply rejects the man.Sorry if I was not too clear explaning it.

I have myself played la dura a few times in my life...LOL!!!
Thanks for helping me here!!!

SandraT · 09-11-2009, 01:16 PM

Quote:

I can only imagine the trail of broken hearts you have left behind!!!

you've made me smile, my friend. good, a Friday smile!!!
it was looooooooooooong ago. I was young and naive...hahahah

09-10-2009, 02:21 PM	#1
AllyKat New Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: United States, Michigan Age: 25 Posts: 4 Rep Power: 0	Need help figuring this out... Hello... I have been working at a (horse racing) track daily for about 4 months. I do not understand much Spanish and speak even less. I have been given kind of a nickname from a couple of the riders and I am trying to figure out what it means. To me it sounded like he was saying "arrr tour O" which the closest I could find online was "el turro" or "la turra"... which basically led me to the conclusion of: bad, evil, obnoxious... broken, of poor quality, ugly... and pain in the ass. These do not fit my actions, appearance or the situation. Then today I had my work partner listen to him and we found out he was saying: La Dura (or something like that). For some back ground information and to put it into context: The man that started using the term is from Mexico (near Cancun... Moctezuma I think). He also says it in a sing-song kinda voice and it doesnt sound derogatory or mean really. Also I am a 25 y/o female. Let me know if you guys need any more information. Thank You, -Ally- P.S. My partner asked one of the other guys that doesn't say it to me but talks to the guy that does what he was saying..... (la dura is what he told us... he says it means strong person... my partner has a theory on their meaning of it... but I would like to hear some of your responses before putting it out there). Thanks again! Last edited by AllyKat : 09-10-2009 at 04:47 PM.

09-11-2009, 08:15 AM	#2
SandraT Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Havana,Cuba Posts: 1,200 Rep Power: 1686	Re: Need help figuring this out... HI Allykat, La Dura means The Tough One, the Strong One, so it is not mean at all. When a girl here plays "La Dura" she is not easy catch for men. She gets men to respect her. This is one meaning; the other meaning could be a person with strong and hard feelings, not the crying, emotional, sensitive type of girl. Either of them is ok for you, I guess. __________________ _____________________________ [Have a nice day!!! ♥ Sandra T ♥

09-11-2009, 08:27 AM	#3
AllyKat New Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: United States, Michigan Age: 25 Posts: 4 Rep Power: 0	Re: Need help figuring this out... Thanks so much.... lol. much better than my partner's theory. This guy has been flirting for about a month with me. i was worried it was something bad... haha. The literal meaning was confusing me.

09-11-2009, 12:20 PM	#5
AllyKat New Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: United States, Michigan Age: 25 Posts: 4 Rep Power: 0	Re: Need help figuring this out... haha.... Well when he says it it sounds like an endearment. But then the other riders started saying it so I was worried it had a bad connotation. He speaks fluent English but he didn't tell me what it meant. Your translation was right on for the situation. Thanks again!

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