=a la larga=, m the long run
=a medida que=, in proportion as
=a mejor andar=, at best
=a plazos=, in instalments
=ajeno=, averse
=apagado= extinguished, dull (colours)
=*asentar=, to book (an order)
=chillones=, gaudy, screaming (colours)
=claro=, light (colours)
=claro y redondo= (quite clearly)
=columna=, column
=con el corazon en la mano=, quite candidly
=confeccionar=, to make up
=*confesar=, to confess
=conservas alimenticias=, preserves
=definir=, to define (also to settle)
=dificultad=, difficulty
=ensayo=, trial, proof, venture
=escoger=, to choose
=exceder=, to exceed
=facilidad=, ease, facility
=fijo=, fixed, firm
=fondos=, grounds (pictures, cloth)
=gana= (=de buena, de mala=), willingly, unwillingly
=ganga=, a bargain
=langosta=, lobster
=mariscos=, shell-fish
=muestrarios=, pattern cards, sets
=oscuro=, dark
=paquete=, packet, parcel
=*(no) poder menos de ..=., not to be able to help
=puntos=, points, spots (in prints)
=restos=, remnants
=sacar=, to pull out, to get out, to get back
=sardinas=, sardines
=satines brochados=, brocaded satins
=serie=, series
=sin mirar a gastos=, regardless of expense
=sobrio=, quiet (colour)
=solidez=, solidity
=tomar a mal=, to take amiss
=vivo=, vivid, bright (colours)
EXERCISE 1 (55).
Translate into English--
1. Tiene V. (there is) tanta variedad de dibujos que verdaderamente
cuesta dificultad (it is difficult) el escoger entre disenos con flores,
con puntos, con rayas, y cuadritos.
2. Con facilidad sin embargo (however) podra V. hacer un surtido entre
las dos series que le enviamos, de fondos claros y oscuros, y de colores
vivos, chillones, sobrios, y apagados.
3. Desde algun tiempo a esta parte tratan Vs. los negocios tan a
trochimoche que ya no sabemos a que atenernos (what to think of it).
4. Hago esta consignacion de mala gana y le confieso claro y redondo que
siguiendo V. a vender tan barato y a plazos tan largos no me tendra
cuenta hacerle otros envios sino por su propia cuenta o contra pedidos
fijos de los clientes.
5. Clara y concisamente es como se deben escribir las cartas
comerciales.
6. A la par que Vs. (same as yourselves) no somos ajenos a la idea de
hacer algun ensayo en la importacion de langosta, mariscos, sardinas, y
conservas alimenticias, pero debemos ir a medias en cualquiera
transaccion que se decida.
7. Creo que a duras penas sacara su dinero y a mejor andar tendra que
perder todo su trabajo.
8. A medida que aumenten los ingresos se aumentaran los dividendos.
9. Recibira V. en paquete asegurado los nuevos muestrarios que se han
confeccionado sin mirar a gastos.
10. Estos restos son una verdadera ganga y ademas, podra V. pagarlos al
contado o a plazos largos (easy) como mas le convenga.
11. Dejaremos en suspenso su reclamo hasta definirlo personalmente en su
proximo viaje a Inglaterra.
12. No puede menos de admitir (to admit) que a la larga esto no puede
convenirme, y espero que V. no lo tome a mal que se lo exponga con el
corazon en la mano.
EXERCISE 2 (56).
Translate into Spanish--
1. After writing you by last mail we are informed by the maker of the
Brown Linens (lienzos morenos) that he will be able to book your order
which will be delivered before the end of next month.
2. The Brocaded Satins will range between (costaran desde) 4d. and 5d. a
yard, and we shall ship them within six weeks but only after receiving
your letter confirming them.
3. These shapes are not worn (gastan, llevan) outside England.
4. Not far from here and next to the Bank there is the Insurance Office,
which is much admired for its solidity and fine appearance.
5. It cost L20,000 and they never thought it would exceed half that
amount.
6. Perhaps it is too large an outlay (gasto) for the Company, but there
was no money wasted.
7. The columns in the porch have cost so much because they are of the
best Carrara marble (marmol).
8. Whilst we admit that the prints sent may have been just a little bit
(un si es no es) off shade (diferentes al color pedido) your claim is
quite out of the question.
9. Towards the beginning of the autumn our Mr. So-and-So will make a
trip (hara un viaje) to your place, and he will have the honour of
waiting upon you (de visitarles) with our latest novelties (novedades).
10. You do not understand how it is possible that your neighbours are
able to undersell you (vender mas bajo que V.), nor can we make it out
(explicarnoslo) either.
LESSON XXIX.
(Leccion vigesima nona.)
THE PREPOSITIONS.
Prepositions join words together to mark certain relations between them.
The principal prepositions are--
A (at, to)
Ante (before--in point of place)
Bajo (under)
Con (with)
Contra, en contra de (against)
De (of, from)
Desde (since, from)
En (in)
Entre (between, among)
Hacia (towards)
Hasta (till, as far as, even)
Para (for the purpose of, for, in order to)
Por (for, by, because of)
Segun (according to)
Sin (without)
Sobre (upon)
Tras, tras de (behind)
Para con (una persona),[164] (towards, with, a person)
[Footnote 164: "Fue muy generoso para conmigo": He was very generous
with me.]
Many verbs take in Spanish a different preposition than in English. Some
verbs take a preposition in one language and none in the other, as--
Depender de una promesa: To depend on a promise.
Convenir en una transaccion: To agree to a compromise.
Confiar en un desconocido: To trust a perfect stranger.
Regalarle un cheque: To present him with a cheque.
The use of the correct preposition according to the verb it follows is
best learnt by practice. In the second part of the grammar, the student
will be helped with a list of the most characteristic differences
between the two languages. The Spanish construction is not quite so
rigid in this respect as is the English.
Difference between _de_ and _desde_ both translating "from"--=De= mark
the origin only, as:
Esta seda viene de Italia: This silk comes from Italy--it is Italian
silk.
=Desde= calls attention to distance of time or space, as--
Desde el 1 deg. de Enero se establecio en comercio por cuenta propia: From
the 1st of January, he started in business on his own account.
He viajado desde Londres hasta Calcuta en tantos dias: I travelled from
London to Calcutta in so many days.
The chief difficulty in the employment of the Spanish prepositions is
the use of _Por_ and _Para_--
=Por= is used--
1. To denote agency = by[165]; as--
Es tenido en gran cuenta por sus amigos: He is thought much of by his
friends.
Este establecimiento fue fundado por mi bisabuelo: This establishment
was founded by my great-grandfather.
[Footnote 165: After the passive voice of verbs denoting mental action
when formed by _ser_, _Por_ is elegantly substituted by _De_, as: Son
amados por _or_ de sus padres (they are loved by their parents). But: Se
aman por sus padres.]
2. To denote the _motive_ of an action, as--
Lo hizo por envidia: He did it for (out of) envy.
3. To denote equivalency of any kind, as--
Cinco peniques por libra: Fivepence for a pound--per pound.
Trocar un producto por otro: To exchange one product for another.
Considerar a uno bueno por L1,000: To consider somebody as good for
L1,000.
Por mejor le envie yo como viajante: I sent you to travel, holding you
for a better man.
Tienda por tienda, prefiero esta: Of the two shops I prefer this.
4. To denote distribution, as--
Vinieron cinco por cinco: They came five by five.
=Para= is used--
1. To denote the object of an action (generally "to" or "in order to"),
as--
Trabajo para ganarme la vida: I work to (in order to) earn my living.
2. To denote destination (or direction), as--
El tren sale para Valencia: The train leaves for Valencia.
Esta cedula es para el Sr. Fulano: This warrant is for Mr. So-and-So.
Voy para casa: I am going towards home.
Many idiomatic uses of _Por_ and _Para_ must be learnt by practice.
VOCABULARY.
=abogar=, to plead
=acceder=, to accede
=afanarse=, to exert oneself, to take much trouble
=ahorrar=, to save
=ajuste=, adjustment
=a la verdad=, really
=altos hornos=, blast furnaces, foundries
=amarillo=, yellow, buff
=amistad=, friendship
=aparentar=, to show outwardly
=aprovecharse=, to take advantage of, to avail oneself
=aproximarse=, to approach, to draw near
=automovil=, motor-car
=azadas=, hoes
=azadones=, pick-axes
=azuelas=, adzes
=bultos=, packages
=cizallas=, shears
=croquis=, sketch
=disenador=, draughtsman
=*disponer=, to dispose, to arrange
=echar al correo=, to (throw into the) post
=empeoramiento=, deterioration
=en blanco=, blank
=estancia=, stay
=(un) fardin, un cuarto=, a farthing, a trifling amount
=*forzar=, to force, to strain
=hachuelas=, hatchets
=hilar=, to spin
=largo de talle=, full, complete
=lingotes de hierro=, pig-iron
=martillo=, hammer
=molestia=, trouble
=moratoria=, extension of time (for payment)
=palas=, shovels
=para= (=estar=), (to be) on the point of ...
=picos=, picks
=plomo=, slate, lead colour
=por= (=estar por escribir=), to be (yet) unwritten
=prevision=, foresight
=los sintomas=, the symptoms
=suspender los pagos=, to stop payments
=tejer=, to weave
=tenazas=, tongs
=textil=, textile
=*trocar=, to barter, to exchange
=yerno, hijo politico=, son-in-law
EXERCISE 1. (57)
Translate into English--
1. De Espana nos vienen las ricas uvas y las jugosas (juicy) naranjas,
ademas de minerales--de hierro y cobre.
2. El viaje por mar desde Espana a Inglaterra tarda de cuatro a seis
dias.
3. Desde el ano 1900 hasta el 1910 aumento mucho la poblacion del Reino
Unido.
4. Los Altos Hornos de Bilbao se han construido para la produccion de
lingotes de hierro.
5. La Sociedad reune poderosos elementos (commands great resources) para
la fabricacion de toda clase de maquinaria para la hiladura y la
tejeduria del algodon.
6. Los bultos se embarcaron directamente por los fabricantes mismos.
7. El empaque y el transporte cuestan lo mismo y precio por precio
preferimos ahorrarnos molestias.
8. Por un falso sentido de honor aquella casa forzo su credito para no
tener que pedir moratorias, dando esto por resultado el empeoramiento de
su posicion.
9. Compre un automovil por L1,000 mas lo troque con este que vale a la
verdad L1,500 dando solo L200 por la diferencia.
10. Disponga V. las piezas tantas por parte.
11. A una veintena por vez colocamos aquellos picos, palas, azadas,
azadones, hachuelas, azuelas, martillos, cizallas, y tenazas.
12. Se presento por su yerno, abogo por el por una hora larga de talle,
todo por su hija, pues por el chico (young man, lit., child) maldita la
gana que tendria (he would not have liked the idea) de afanarse tanto
por el.
13. Hare por colocar sus driles blancos, plomo, y amarillos (buff) para
los cuales me dio orden verbal su Sr. hijo durante su estancia aqui y
que se despacharan por (_or_ por la via de) Burdeos y Cartagena.
14. Nuestro mercado sigue muy encalmado sin que por el momento presente
sintomas de mejora.
15. La primera carta esta para echarse al correo pero la segunda y la
tercera quedan aun por escribir.
EXERCISE 2 (58).
Translate into Spanish--
1. He offers a loan to avoid all risk that the house should fall.
2. It would not be possible for it to fall unless the Textile Bank
should stop payments.
3. His office is opposite ours and we have him thus under our eyes.
4. With all the weight of the evidence (las pruebas) you have collected
(recogido), it would be very risky to proceed against him from such a
distance.
5. Between one thing and the other I did not know what to choose, so I
left them to settle the matter between themselves.
6. These sketches have been made by our draughtsman for our customers,
the owners of the Sugar Mill in Parahyba.
7. He did the work for the pleasure of it but would not (no quiso)
charge a farthing for it.
8. The packets arrived two by two.
9. I accede willingly for the sake of old friendship (por la antigua
amistad que nos une).
10. As the time of the year is drawing near when your firms effect their
purchases in this country, we beg to address you to renew the offer of
our services.
11. We shall be extremely glad if you will avail yourselves of our
offers and send us orders for some of your requirements.
12. The adjustment of the average per S.S. "Nile" is still hanging fire
(todavia pendiente), but we are pushing the Insurance Co. to our utmost
(todo lo posible) for a speedy settlement.
13. For a (para) foreigner he understands English methods very well
indeed.
14. Being (por ser) so young he shows a good deal of (mucho) tact and
foresight.
LESSON XXX.
(Leccion trigesima.)
THE CONJUNCTIONS AND INTERJECTIONS.
Conjunctions join sentences together; also independent words.
The principal conjunctions are--
*A menos que (unless)
A pesar de (in spite of)
Asi como (just as)
Asi que, de suerte que (so that)
*Afin de que, *Para que (that--in order that)
Aunque, bien que, si bien (although, even if)
*Bien ... bien (whether ... or)
Como (as)
*Con tal que (provided)
Con que (so)
*Cuando (if)
Mas, pero, empero[166] (but)
Sino (but--after a negative[167])
Ni ... ni (neither ... nor)
No sea que* (lest, also perhaps)
No obstante (nevertheless)
O ... o[168] (either ... or)
Ora ... ora[168] (now ... now--with indic. mood)
Porque, porque (why, because)
Portanto (therefore)
Puesto que[169] (seeing that)
Pues (since)
Que (that)
Si (if, whether)
Sin embargo (however, notwithstanding)
Segun (according)
Siquiera (at least, even)
Y[170] (and)
Ya ... ya[171] (whether ... or--with subj. mood)
Ya que (since, seeing that)
[Footnote 166: _Empero_ is used same as _pero_ at the beginning of a
sentence.]
[Footnote 167: Unless a _finite_ verb follows, as: No tengo dinero pero
gozo de buena reputacion (I have no money but I enjoy a good reputation).]
[Footnote 168: Before words commencing with _o_ or _ho_, it changes into
_u_.]
[Footnote 169: In old Spanish it had the meaning of "even if."]
[Footnote 170: Before words commencing with _i_, also _hi_ not followed
by a vowel, use _e_, as: "Padre e hijo," but "Nieve y hielo."]
[Footnote 171: "Ora ... ora" and "ya ... ya" both mean "now ... now"
(with indic. mood), and "whether ... or" (with subj. mood).]
The conjunctions marked with an asterisk are always followed by a verb
in the Subjunctive Mood.
The English "either" is generally left understood, as--
Exportaciones o importaciones: Either exports or imports.
"Either" following a negative--_tampoco_, as--
No quiero comprar Titulos de Gobierno ni Obligaciones de Ferrocarriles
tampoco: I do not wish to buy Government Stock, nor Railway Stocks
either.
=Interjections=, being mere exclamations, do not stand in grammatical
relation to any other word in the sentence.
They are elliptical sentences, as--
iOh! (I am surprised, etc.).
The principal Interjections in Spanish are the following--
caramba, caspita (these express practically all kinds of emotions)
ay[172] (oh! grief or threat)
bah, ca, quia (humph!)
ce, hola, ola (I say!)
chito, chiton (shut up!)
cuidado, iojo! (attention! look out!)
ea (come!)
he (hey)
huy (oh! physical pain)
ojala (oh, that)
por Dios (for heaven's sake)
tate, zape (what! (surprise))
tonterias (nonsense!)
uf (oh! weariness or fatigue)
[Footnote 172: This can govern a noun or pronoun, as--iAy de mi! Woe to
me! iAy de Pedro! Woe to Peter!]
As well as _Ah_ or _Ha_, _Oh_ or _O_ as in English, and many words used
as exclamations, as--
iSilencio! icalle! icalle la boca (silence! hush! shut your mouth!)
ivamos! (much used), (come! come now!)
ique lastima! (what a pity!)
ipoco a poco! (gently, Sir!)
iheteme[173] aqui! (here I am!)
ihetelos[173] aqui! (here they are, etc.)
[Footnote 173: _Te_--ethical dative.]
+-------------------------------------------------------------------+
| =Caber= (to be able to contain = to hold) |
| (to be able to be contained = to go in) |
|_Pres. Indic._, Quepo. |
|_Past Def._, Cupe, cupiste, cupo, cupimos, cupisteis, cupieron. |
|_Fut. Indic._, Cabre, cabras, cabra, cabremos, cabreis, cabran. |
+---------------+---------------------------------------------------+
| | =Poder= (to be able). |
|_Pres. Part._, | Pudiendo. |
|_Pres. Indic._,| Puedo, puedes, puede, ... pueden. |
|_Imp. Mood_, | NONE. |
|_Past Def._, | Pude, pudiste, pudo, pudimos, pudisteis, pudieron.|
|_Fut. Indic._, | Podre, podras, podra, podremos, podreis, podran. |
+---------------+---------------------------------------------------+
VOCABULARY.
=aficionado (a)=, fond of
=aflojar=, to relax
=ansioso=, eager
=*apetecer=, to desire, to covet
=bastante bien=, fairly well
=berzas, coles= (f.), cabbages
=buscar=, to look for, to search
=buscarse=, to bring upon oneself
=cauteloso, cauto=, cautious
=conexiones=, connections, couplings (machinery)
=contrincante=, neighbour, competitor
=detenidamente=, fully
=disturbado, transtornado=, disturbed, upset
=engranajes=, gearings
=escala=, scale
=hortelano=, fruit gardener
=inquilino=, tenant
=ir a=, to lead to
=llantas=, tyres
=*moler=, to grind
=operaciones=, operations, dealings
=perro=, dog
=plaza=, market place, square, place
=*poner al corriente=, to inform
=refran=, proverb
=repentino=, sudden
=resortes=, springs (mach.)
=sosa=, soda
=tambores=, drums
=traspapelado=, mislaid (of papers)
EXERCISE 1 (59).
Translate into English--
1. A menos que los giros vengan acompanados de los conocimientos y
facturas comerciales y consulares (invoices and consular invoices) no
los recogeremos.
2. Le remito poder en forma (regular power of attorney) para que V.
pueda representarme y hacer mis veces ahi.
3. Cuando me pague lo que me debe veremos lo que proceda hacer (what
ought to be done).
4. V. no hace mencion en su atenta de los engranajes, conexiones,
llantas y resortes de nuestro pedido 2 del que rige, no sea que se haya
traspapelado nuestra orden.
5. Para comprar barato no hay sino que pagar puntualmente sus facturas.
6. Aunque es hombre muy dificil de tratar, sus ordenes son muy
apetecidas de los fabricantes porque su palabra una vez empenada
(pledged) es oro molido (as good as gold).
7. Aunque me pagara mas no se lo daria pues ya tengo empenada mi
palabra.
8. Asi como le vio le puso al corriente de las circunstancias.
9. Con tal que el mercado afloje un tantico procurare plazar su orden
para 50 tambores de sosa, a su limite.
10. Con que nuestros contrincantes se porten con lealtad no tenemos
derecho de quejarnos de su competencia.
11. Segun lo prueba la experiencia mas vale ir cautelosos en aquellos
mercados.
12. No deseo buscarme molestias ni meterme en camisa de once varas
(meddle in other people's business).
13. Hace como el perro del hortelano que no come las berzas ni las deja
comer.
14. iCaramba! ?Se viene V. con refranes en una gramatica comercial?
15. iCalle, hombre! Todos los caminitos van a la plaza (all roads lead
to Rome); los espanoles son muy aficionados a los refranes.
EXERCISE 2 (60).
Translate into Spanish--
1. These 200 pieces will not go in that case, it is too small.
2. I do not think they will, either.
3. I cannot say anything before I see the result, but I shall be able to
tell you something definite to-morrow.
4. Not being able to compete, he has withdrawn from the market.
5. I could not confirm the agreement last week.
6. I believe I could buy a parcel of wheat cheaper to-day unless there
should be a sudden rise.
7. In spite of all his efforts, he was obliged to file his petition.
8. Although the market here is firm, we have hopes (esperamos) that
prices will relax in view of the bearish tone (tendencia a la baja)
shown in the Liverpool market yesterday.
9. The enclosed pattern is rather (algo) poor; still, as it appears to
sell well in Central Africa, I should be glad if you would see your way
(decidirse) to manufacture it at our price.
10. The new presses (prensas) work fairly well; there is, however, room
(lugar) for improvement, and our engineer will write you fully on some
proposed modifications.
11. He signed the documents without even (siquiera) reading them, so
upset was he by the news the mail had just brought him; therefore we
shall be obliged if you will kindly send them back for his perusal and
return (para que los examine y se los envie otra vez).
12. Provided you take a lease of these premises (tome en arriendo este
local) for a period of ten years, I shall make the necessary
alterations, since I am very eager to have you as a tenant.
13. Although the demand for money is no longer so strong, the market is
still under the control (dominio) of the Bank of England, to which it is
now indebted for (debe) a considerable amount, and dealings are but on a
comparatively small scale.
PART II
LESSON XXXI.
(Leccion trigesima primera.)
THE ARTICLE.
The =Definite Article= is used in Spanish and not in English (besides
rules given in Lesson II)--
1. Before the seasons of the year--
+------------------------------------------------+
|La primavera (spring) El otono (autumn) |
|El verano (summer) El invierno (winter)|
| |
|And the four cardinal points: |
| |
|El norte (North) El este (East) |
|El sur (South) El oeste (West) |
+------------------------------------------------+
2. Before the hour of the day (with the words _hora, horas,_
understood), as--
Es la una: It is one o'clock.
Son las dos y cuarto: It is a quarter past two.
Son las tres y cinco: It is five minutes past three.
Son las cuatro menos diez: It is ten minutes to four.
Las cinco y media: Half-past five.
3. Optionally, before the proper name of a woman used colloquially, as--
La Maria (Mary, our Mary).
4. Optionally, before the days of the week, especially when preceded by
"on" in English, as--
Vendre el sabado: I shall come on Saturday.
5. Before the names of the following countries--
El Peru, La India, El Japon.
And some towns to be learnt by practice, as--
La Coruna, El Havre, El Cairo, El Ferrol, etc.
Although found sometimes before the names of countries in general, this
example should not be followed.
The Definite Article is used in English and not in Spanish--
1. Before numbers following names of sovereigns, etc., as--
Carlos I (primero), Charles I (the first)
Alfonso XIII (trece), Alphonso XIII (the thirteenth)
2. In titles of books, headings, etc., as--Historia de la Inquisicion
(The History of the Inquisition).
3. Before words in apposition, as--Madrid, capital de Espana (Madrid,
the capital of Spain).
But--
Alfonso el Sabio (Alphonso the Wise)
Juana la Loca (Jane the Mad)
because these are "titles."
The =Indefinite Article= is used in English and not in Spanish
(besides rules in Lesson II)--
1. Before words in apposition, as--
Rubio y Cia., casa importantisima de la Habana: Rubio
& Co., a most important firm in Havana.
2. In titles of books, headings, etc., as--
Lista de los generos pedidos: A list of goods required.
3. In "such a," "so ... a," as--
Tal amigo: Such a friend.
Tan buen amigo: So good a friend, such a good friend.
4. In "a half" (medio), "a quarter" (cuarto), "a third"
(tercio), in the case of an integer preceding, as--
Uno y medio (1-1/2) Cinco y tercio (penknife/3)
Dos y cuarto (2-1/4)
Occasionally the article is omitted before other fractions.
5. Before _otro_, as--
Otra quiebra: Another bankruptcy.
Before weights and measures the definite article is used in Spanish
instead of the indefinite used in English, as--
Dos chelines la libra: Two shillings a pound.
Cinco pesetas el metro _or_ por metro: 5 pesetas a metre.
The =Definite Article= is omitted before _casa_ and _palacio_ when they
are spoken of as places usually frequented by the person in question--
Ire a casa del ingeniero: I shall go to the engineer's house.
El Rey volvio ayer a palacio: The King returned yesterday to the palace.
The article must not be employed before a noun used after a preposition
in an adjectival capacity, as--
Una viga de hierro (_not_ del hierro): An iron beam.
The tendency of the Spanish language is to omit the indefinite article
whenever, by such omission the sense is not obscure, as--
Tengo intencion de marcharme: I have a mind to go.
Vino con dolor de cabeza: He came with a headache.
Le dio cuenta de lo sucedido: He gave him an account of
all that had happened.
Este caballero tiene mucho _or_ grande ingenio: This
gentleman has a great talent.
The =Neuter= article _lo_ cannot precede a noun used _as such,_ but it
may (elegantly) precede a noun used adjectively, as--
Todo me gusta en el, lo amigo, lo ciudadano, lo caballero:
I like everything in him: the friend, the citizen, the gentleman.
VOCABULARY.