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Pitman's Commercial Spanish Grammar (2nd ed.)

Part 2 — EXERCISE 2 (62). (continued 2)

Reading edition

Por may translate "on behalf of," "for the sake of," "in favour of," "during," "through"—

Hablo por el proyecto de ley: He spoke in favour of the bill. Se presento por la casa: He appeared on behalf of the firm. Por la paz y buena armonia concedemos lo que V. pide: For the sake of peace we allow what you ask. Les sirvio por cinco anos: He served them during five years. Trabaja por la manana: He works during (in) the morning. Vino por Paris: He came through Paris. Cotizar por un articulo: To quote for an article. Yo por mi (or por mi parte) prefiero comprar al contado: I, for one, prefer to buy for cash. Por[206] rico que sea, no tendra suficientes recursos: No matter how rich he is, he will not have sufficient means. Es demasiado avaro por ser tan rico: for such a rich man, he is too miserly. Caro por caro prefiero generos ingleses: If I have to pay a dear price, I prefer English goods. Por si o por no: In any case, should it be so or not. Ir (venir) por: To go (come) for. Enviar por el medico: To send for the doctor. Por holgazan perdio el empleo: He lost his employment through laziness. Por bien o por mal: Willy-nilly. Vendre por la Navidad: I shall come by Christmas. Por si acaso: In case that.

[Footnote 206: Por has always this meaning before an adjective or adverb.]

No sirve para mas: He is good for nothing else. Venir para la Pentecostes: To come for Whitsuntide. Esto no es para menos: The thing (or occasion) is worth it. Para espanol (or por ser espanol) es muy alto: He is very tall for a Spaniard. Tener grande consideracion para este hombre: To have great respect for this man. Dar pedidos para ferreteria, olleria, y maquinaria: To give orders for ironware, hollow-ware and machinery. Es demasiado avaro para ser tan rico: He is too miserly to be so rich.

Sin—"without"—

Poseia L10,000 sin los bienes raices que heredo de su padre: He owned L10,000 besides the real property he inherited from his father.

Segun—"according to"—

Segun y como: That depends.

So instead of bajo is used in the following expressions—

So capa de: Under the cloak of.

So pretexto de: Under the pretext of.

And in a few other such phrases.

VOCABULARY.

=acabado, aderezo=, finish (cloth) =acolchados=, quiltings =admitir=, to admit, to accept =agente exclusivo=, sole agent =alfombradas=, carpetings =a no ser asi=, were it not so, otherwise =anclar=, to anchor =arreglo=, agreement =bajista=, bearish (exchange) =cablegrama=, cablegram, cable =capataz=, foreman =conceder=, to grant =coquillos=, jeans =disposicion=, disposition, disposal =empenarse=, to pledge oneself =en su ramo=, in your line =exclusividad=, exclusive sale =fama=, fame, reputation, name =frazadas de algodon=, cotton blankets =lento=, remiss =nombrar=, to appoint =palo de mesana=, mizzen mast =palo mayor=, main mast =por escrito=, in writing =postergar=, to put off, to delay =proveerse=, to supply oneself =tapetes=, carpet rugs *=tener inconveniente=, to have an objection =tomar en consideracion=, to take into consideration, to entertain =trinquete=, foremast

EXERCISE 1 (89).

Translate into English—

1. Con ser abiertamente (manifestly) bajista la especulacion, las acciones mineras se han sostenido.

2. Desde Barcelona ha llegado un radiograma avisando que habia anclado en ese puerto el vapor "Cibeles" con el trinquete roto y el palo mayor y el de mesana tambien danados.

3. El jefe es muy bondadoso para con sus empleados.

4. Dos cajas de coquillos y una de panuelos de andrinopolis (turkey red) nos vinieron por Burdeos (Bordeaux), los acolchados, las alfombradas, los tapetes y las frazadas de algodon se embarcaron por mar.

5. Por la buena fama de su casa no deberia postergar por mas tiempo el pago.

6. Por si o por no mejor seria proveerse.

7. El capataz fue al Director por ordenes.

8. Por bien o por mal tendra que admitir los generos pues se han fabricado por su cuenta y tenemos su orden por escrito para ellos.

9. Se alarmo mucho, pues el asunto no era para menos.

10. Para genero de algodon el acabado (or aderezo) es todo lo que se puede desear.

11. Por ser genero de algodon esta tela es de muy buena vista.

12. Es demasiado barato para ser de lana.

13. Si desea V. obtener ordenes debe tener mucha consideracion para los corresponsales.

14. No puedo prometerle entrega para 1 deg. de Junio exactamente, pero hare por efectuarla por esa fecha.

15. ?Conoce V. el refran: "No hay mal que por bien no venga"? (It is an ill wind that blows nobody good.)

EXERCISE 2 (90).

Translate into Spanish—

1. This sample looks very nice for an imitation.

2. It being in your line, I thought I ought to give you the first chance (hacerle la primera oferta) in case it would tempt you (por si acaso le animara a comprar).

3. To begin with you would have to engage the cloth to us (darnos la exclusividad).

4. I have no objection provided you guarantee a certain turnover (venta).

5. He was appointed sole agent for the whole of Mexico through the recommendation of his brother-in-law, and his agreement with the firm is for 3 years certain (fijos).

6. That will bring him (le producira) L500 a year if it brings him a penny (por lo menos).

7. Being such an important concern (casa) they do not pay their staff very handsomely (generosamente).

8. They are too remiss with (en) their payments to be such important people.

9. I very nearly pledged myself to grant him the exclusive sale of my article.

10. These are his instructions for the disposal of his goods

11. However clear they may be, we must have his cable confirmed by a letter.

12. Therefore we cannot entertain your offer for the present.

13. It cannot be helped, otherwise (Tenga paciencia, si fuese posible) we would do everything for you.

LESSON XLVI. (Leccion cuadragesima sexta.)

THE PREPOSITION (contd.)

To the uses of Por must be added the following (optional)—

After the following verbs:

Agradecer (por) el favor: To be grateful or to be thankful for the favour.

Aguardar or esperar (por) alguno: To wait for somebody.

Pedir (por) una cosa: To ask for (request) something.

Preguntar (por) una cosa: To ask for (to inquire about) something.

He pagado por el cinco chelines or lo he pagado cinco chelines: I paid five shillings for it.

Buscar (por) alguno o alguna cosa: To look for somebody or something.

Dispensar (por) el error: To excuse the error.

Further uses of the Spanish prepositions different from the English, and forming idioms—

A caballo (on horseback) A ciegas (blindly) A consecuencia de esto (in consequence of this) A deshora (inopportunely) A duras penas (with great efforts) A esconditas (covertly) A fe de caballero (upon the word of a gentleman) A gatas (on all fours) A hurtadillas (stealthily) A la espanola (in the Spanish fashion) A la mesa (at table) Al antojo de uno (after one's fancy) A la tarde (in the afternoon) A la verdad (in truth) Al descuido y con cuidado (studiously careless) A lo largo del rio (along the river) A lo que parece (to all appearances) Hecho a maquina (made by machinery) A pie (on foot) A poco de escribir (shortly after having commenced writing) A proposito (opportunely, a propos) A reganadientes (reluctantly) A saberlo yo (had I known it) A sangre fria (in cold blood) A sus anchas, anchuras (at one's ease) A tiro de canon (within cannon shot) Es mas habil que yo, con mucho (he is cleverer than I by far) Con ser amigo y todo (although he be a friend) Contra el norte (facing the north) De ano en ano (from year to year) De balde (for nothing, gratis) De bobilis (without effort) De broma (in jest) De buenas a buenas (willingly) De buenas a primeras (straight away) De capa caida (crestfallen) De contado (of course) De dia, etc. (by day, etc.) De jaleo (on the spree) De luto (in mourning) De mejor en mejor (from better to better) iAy or Infeliz de mi! (woe to me!) De miedo (through fear) Anteojos de oro (gold spectacles) De patitas (on shanks' pony) De peor en peor (from bad to worse) De perillas (venir) (quite opportunely, a propos) El picaruelo de Perico (that young rascal Perico) De pies a cabeza (from head to foot) De puntillas (on tiptoe) De repente (suddenly) Del todo (at all) De veras (in truth) Dos a dos (two by two) Esta en casa (he is at home) En estas condiciones (under these conditions) En senal de aprecio (as a mark of esteem) Entrecano (gray-haired) Entre dos aguas (doubtful, perplexed) Entre la espada y la pared (between the devil and the deep sea) Nos dio 5 pesetas para repartir entre yo[207] y mi hermano (he gave us 5 pesetas to be divided between my brother and me) Hasta la vista (good-bye for the present) Hasta los animales tienen gratitud (even animals feel gratitude) Sobre las diez (at about ten o'clock) Tiene sobre los treinta (he is about thirty years old) Sobre mas 6 menos (a little more or less) Tras la perdida el escarnio (besides the loss the scoffing)

[Footnote 207: Entre is generally followed by the nominative case unless it means "to" as—Dijo entre si. He said to himself.]

About different prepositions used in Spanish and English after certain verbs, see also Appendix V.

The following are the principal compound prepositions—

Acerca de (relating to, concerning) A despecho de (in spite of) A pesar de (in spite of) Antes de (before—in point of time) Cerca de (near) Junto a (near) Conforme a (according to) Con respecto a (with respect to) Respecto de (with respect to) Debajo de (under) Dentro de (inside) Despues de (after) Encima de (on, or over) En cuanto a (as to) En frente de (opposite) Frente a (opposite) En lugar de (instead of) En vez de (opposite)

VOCABULARY.

=acordonado=, corded =agujas=, needles =alechugado=, frilled =alemaniscos=, linen damasks =alfileres=, pins =antojo=, whim, caprice =arbitro=, arbitrator =arreglado=, reasonable (price) =arrollar=, to roll =batas=, wrappers (ladies') =bodega=, cellar, also hold (ship) =chales=, shawls =dedales=, thimbles =desinteresarse=, to abandon *=desplegar=, to unfold =dictamen=, award, decision =entrepuentes=, between decks =festoneados=, scalloped =gratificacion=, gratuity =guarniciones, adornos=, trimmings =lanillas para banderas=, buntings =listados de algodon=, cotton stripes =logro=, attainment =ovillos de algodon=, cotton balls =panol, carbonera=, bunker (ships') =pintura=, paint =rehusar=, to decline =sabanas=, bed sheets =subasta=, auction =tablillas=, boards =tablones=, planks =terliz=, ticking =terreno=, land, property =trencilla=, braid

EXERCISE 1 (91).

Translate into English—

1. Agradezco (por) el interes demostrado a mi amigo y la actividad desplegada en facilitarle el logro de sus fines.

2. Hemos dado diez mil duros por este terreno y no lo hemos pagado demasiado caro.

3. No puede V. rehusar los alemaniscos y quedarse con los generos para sabanas y los terlices, a su antojo.

4. A la verdad las agujas y alfileres han resultado algo caros como tambien los dedales pero las trencillas, guarniciones, y ovillos de algodon son a precio muy arreglado.

5. Vino muy a deshora y a poco de haberse sentado nos declaro que no esperaria.

6. Estos chales a 4 chelines y estos listados de algodon a 5 peniques la yarda son de balde, no lo decimos de broma.

7. Accedio a nuestra propuesta de buenas a buenas y de buenas a primeras nos deposito la suma de 1,000 francos.

8. Los fondos austriacos van de peor en peor y por eso esta nuestro parroquiano de capa caida.

9. En tales condiciones preferimos desinteresarnos del proyecto.

10. Estuvimos entre dos aguas por algun tiempo, pero una vez puestos entre la espada y la pared (once we are so hard pressed) no nos queda mas sino hablar claro, y ilo dicho!

EXERCISE 2 (92).

Translate into Spanish—

1. They await the result of the inquiry (informacion).

2. We forward you the papers relating to the Arbitrator's award.

3. He paid for the Buntings 5d. a yard.

4. In consequence of your having outstepped (excedido) our instructions, we must decline all responsibility with respect to delivery.

5. We have put boards inside the pieces according to our usual custom; we did not know you wanted them rolled.

6. Our new offices will be next to the Oil and Paint Stores (almacen), and opposite the General Post Office (casa de correos).

7. The planks used under the bales for dunnage (la estiva) were sold almost for nothing, in spite of our request to hold them at our disposal.

8. The steamer can carry 4,000 bales a little more or less if she fills her holds and takes cargo between decks.

9. She will take that quite easily and a few hundred bales more in her bunkers.

10. As a mark of our appreciation (estima) we authorize a gratuity to the Captain of L5.

11. The salvage (salvamento) has been sold partly by auction and partly by private treaty.

12. To all appearances the corded and frilled wrappers are superior to the scalloped.

LESSON XLVII. (Leccion cuadragiesima septima.)

THE CONJUNCTION.

Si (if and whether).

Si used for "whether" may be followed by a verb in any mood and tense as in English—

No se si habra buena cosecha este ano: I do not know whether there will be a good crop this year.

No pudo, or supo, decirme si me entregaria los pagares para la fecha convenida: He could not tell me whether he would be able to hand me the promissory notes for the date agreed upon.

Si used as the conditional "if," is followed by the verb in the present indicative or imperfect subjunctive, as—

Si viene hoy le pagare: If he comes to-day, I shall pay him.

Si viene manana le pagare[208]: If he comes to-morrow I shall pay him.

Le dije que si viniese le pagaria: I told him that if he came I should pay him.

[Footnote 208: When the action refers to the future the "future subjunctive" may be used instead, but this is rarely done. It emphasises the uncertainty.]

The sense will determine the tense to be used.

Notice the following idiomatic uses of si (not conditional)—

Si soy (fui) malo! Well, I am (was) wicked! iSi sera (seria) tan necia! Can (could) she be so foolish! ?Si vendria? I wonder will he come! iSi se lo habia dicho yo mil veces! But I had told him so many times!

Other idiomatic uses of this si will be learnt by practice (all more or less pleonastic as in the above examples).

We have said that "but" is translated by sino after a negative unless a finite verb follows. Therefore, "Not to buy but to sell" is translated "No comprar sino vender."

After a negative a finite verb may be preceded by sino que instead of pero in cases like the following examples—

No compro sino que vendio: He did not buy but (on the contrary) he sold. No solo que es barato sino que es de muy buena calidad: Not only is it cheap, but it is (also) of a very good quality.

Ni … ni—"neither … nor" (same as all negative words) when following a verb requires No to precede the verb, as—

No acepta ni esto ni aquello: He accepts neither this nor that.

But—Ni esto ni aquello quiere aceptar.

Pues—"seeing that" or "since" is used often for "then," "but," "well" (used as an interjection).

Pues que lo haga: Let him do it then.

Quiso desobedecerme, pues vera su falta: He would disobey me, but he will see his fault.

Pues (or pues bien) ique hay ahora! Well! what is the matter now?

We shall conclude the lesson with the different meanings of Ya (sometimes used also redundantly). They are given for the sake of completeness although Ya in its different uses belongs to different parts of speech—

Ya lo ha hecho: He has done it already. Ya lo hara: He will do it yet. Ya no se hace esto: This is done no longer. Ya consienten, ya rehusan: Now they consent, now they refuse. Ya consientan, ya rehusen: Whether they consent, etc. Hare cuanto quieras si ya no me pides lo imposible: I shall do anything you wish if you do not ask (unless you ask) me for impossibilities. Ya que escribio: Since (seeing that) he wrote. Ya ve V.: You see now. Ya voy: I am coming. Ya se ve: It is evident. Ya, ya: Yes, of course.

VOCABULARY.

*=abolir=, to abolish *=advertir=, to warn =alegar=, to allege =al reves=, on the wrong side =barnices=, varnishes =barrica=, cask =batista de algodon=, cambric =baul=, trunk =betunes=, blacking =bicicleta=, bicycle =botines=, boots =bramante=, twine =bufandas=, mufflers =buje=, hub =cerradura=, lock =chanclos=, goloshes =cintos de seda=, silk sashes =cinturones de cuero=, leather belts =colchas de plumon=, down quilts =consignatario=, consignee =ejecutar=, to execute, to put through *=hacer escala=, to call at (ships) =llantas=, tyres =maleta=, portmanteau =mango=, handle =marca=, brand, mark =merma=, loss, leakage, shortage =muebles de bejuco=, rattan furniture =niquelado=, nickel-plated *=perder cuidado=, not to worry =rayos=, rays, spokes (wheels) =reborde=, rim, flange =remolacha=, beetroot =rezumar=, to leak =tejido elastico=, webbing =zapatos=, shoes

EXERCISE 1 (93).

Translate into English—

1. No se si habra vapor de la Trasatlantica en fecha conveniente.

2. Si lo hay lo preferire.

3. Esos vapores arrancan (start) de Liverpool y hacen escalas en varios puertos.

4. Ignoraba si habria servicio mensual en la linea de Canarias.

5. Mande quinientas piezas Batista de algodon si la hubiese en existencia.

6. Quiero un baul y una buena maleta de piel de Rusia con cerradura niquelada si las hay (or hubiere).

7. Pierda V. Cuidado isi las hay de toda especie!

8. ?Si me vendera esos muebles de bejuco?

9. ?Como no? si ya se lo tiene prometido.

10. El comercio del caucho se ha desarrollado mucho, se usa ahora en grande escala no solo para llantas neumaticas de bicicletas y otras piezas (parts) sino tambien para gomas de automoviles.

11. No solo tengo que cambiar el mango de mi bicicleta sino reemplazar los rebordes y componer el buje y algunos rayos de la rueda.

12. No es posible hallar botines de senoras y zapatos mas elegantes que los de nuestra marca, ni se pueden conseguir mas baratos en parte alguna.

13. Pues que me facture esos bramantes (twine) y ese yute y canamo.

14. Ya he colocado un pedido para bufandas y ya vere si me tiene cuenta pero no mande barnices ni betunes pues ya no trato en estos articulos.

15. Ya, ya. V. se ha dedicado ya a los generos en pieza, si no me engano, pues V. ya dice una cosa ya otra.

16. iSenor Juan! Ya voy (I am coming).

EXERCISE 2 (94).

Translate into Spanish—

1. Whether he puts through my order for leather belts and silk sashes or not, I do not much mind, but if he should oblige me, I would do him a good turn (le haria algun servicio) if the opportunity presents itself.

2. If the webbing and down quilts are good, I shall not begrudge (no me pesara) the advance in price.

3. Can it be true (si) that the gate or octroi duty (el impuesto de consumos) is going to be abolished in Spain?

4. Well (pues) the Government has presented a bill to that effect and I hope we shall soon see the octroi offices (fielatos) abolished.

5. The broker was warned that the quality was only fair average (mediana).

6. Beetroot has been largely planted in the province of Granada and is now in great request for the sugar industry.

7. We strove hard (nos hemos esforzado mucho) to introduce the new brand and we have gained our point[209] at last.

8. The cloth was folded on the wrong side and we anticipate some difficulty on that score (por esta razon).

9. The consignees claim shortage (indemnizacion por falta de contenido).

10. They allege that the casks were leaking and that there was consequently a loss of thirty gallons (galones).

[Footnote 209: To gain one's point: Salir con la suya.]

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