LESSON XVII

Es difícil salvar a quien no quiere salvarse de ningún modo.[17]

—BENAVENTE.

48. The word way meaning road is translated camino; meaning manner or mode it is rendered manera or modo.

Our sailor was on the way to become rich.

Nuestro marinero estaba en camino de hacerse rico.

—PALACIO VALDÉS.

Don't talk to me in that way if you don't want to make me cry.

No me hables de este modo si no quieres hacerme llorar.

—TOMAYO Y BAUS.

(a) This way and that way indicating direction are rendered por aquí and por allí.

At any rate (any way) I shall come this way to see your nephew.

De todos modos pasaré por aquí para ver a su sobrino.

—RAMOS CARRIÓN.

When strongly demonstrative this way and that way are rendered así, thus:

Do you want me to do it this way or that way?

¿Quiere usted que yo lo haga así o así?

(b) My way, your way, etc., meaning as I do it, as you do it, are rendered como lo hago yo, como lo hace usted, etc.

To do it your way I should need more time.

Para hacerlo como lo hace usted yo necesitaría más tiempo.

(c) To have one's own way is translated hacer su voluntad or hacer como quiere uno.

You don't want to do it? Well, have your own way.

¿No quieres hacerlo? Bueno, haz tu voluntad.

They spoil her by letting her have her own way all the time.

La miman dejándola hacer como quiere todo el tiempo.

49. The adjective hard is rendered duro when it means not soft; difícil, when it means not easy. As an adverb meaning vigorously, energetically, diligently, it should be rendered by the Spanish adverb that fits best in the sentence. So, to study hard (diligently); to blow hard (strongly); to work hard (diligently or much); to think hard (deeply, intently).

This bread is so hard that it is hard to cut it.

Este pan es tan duro que es difícil cortarlo.

The wind blew hard all night.

El viento sopló fuertemente toda la noche.

You will have to study harder if you want to pass.

Tendrá Vd. que estudiar más diligentemente si quiere ser promovido.

He has had to work hard all his life.

Ha tenido que trabajar mucho toda la vida.

50. The verb to give is generally dar, but it has many idiomatic translations. So, to give back (return), devolver; to give in or give up (consent, yield), consentir, ceder, rendir; to give up (renounce), renunciar; to give out (publish; fail), publicar; acabarse, concluirse.

And now give me something to eat.

Y ahora dame algo que comer.—RAMOS CARRIÓN.

This man never gives in.

Este hombre no se rinde nunca.—PÉREZ GALDÓS.

After walking a very short distance, her strength gave out.

Después de andar muy corta distancia, se le acabaron las fuerzas.

51. EXERCISES

(a) 1. Se lo devolví ayer. 2. Primero se acabó la harina y después al azúcar. 3. Se proclamó (publicó, anunció) que la reunión se verificaría aquel mismo día. 4. Estaba cansado de tanto correr. 5. Habrá que renunciar todo eso si quiere tener éxito. 6. Vamos por allí. Es más corto el camino. 7. Quiere descansar después de tanto trabajar. 8. De este modo nunca llegaremos. 9. Hemos hecho lo posible para persuadirles, pero no quieren ceder.

(b) 1. If he does it, he will have to do it my way. 2. They have not yet given out the names of the committee. 3. My ink gave out and I had to use a pencil. 4. If you write it that way, it will be hard to read it. 5. He gave up his family for his country. 6. Well, I expect to have my own way in regard to this matter. 7. We took the longest way to get home. 8. In that way you will never get to where you want to go. 9. Come here! Don't get excited in that way. 10. It's raining hard now; if it doesn't stop soon, it will be hard to get home. 11. It's hard work for me to believe that (say, it costs me work).