Glossary entry (derived from question below)
Spanish term or phrase:
\"No lo teníamos fácil por cuna pero tuvimos la oportunidad\"
English translation:
\"We weren\'t born with a silver spooon in our mouths but we had the opportunity\"
Added to glossary by
Adriana Uribe
Sep 13, 2013 12:22
10 yrs ago
Spanish term
United Kingdom
Chartered Linguist (CIOL)
Native in: Spanish (Variants: Colombian, Standard-Spain)
Works in: Spanish to English, English to Spanish
"No lo teníamos fácil por cuna pero tuvimos la oportunidad"
Spanish to English
Social Sciences
Government / Politics
This is part of an article where the journalist is explaining the difference in education opportunities between those in the past who could access higher education regardless of their background or social status, and the opportunities available for the new generations.
Proposed translations
+3
9 mins
Selected
"We weren't born with a silver spooon in our mouths but we had the opportunity"
I'm sure that the Spanish used here is a good translation of what I have put, the first part of which is, in effect, a British English saying/expression.
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
George Rabel
: It's wiidely used in trhe US also.
52 mins
|
| agree |
Phoenix III
: It's popular in Latin America as well. Example: "Ni que hubiera nacido con una cucharita de oro".
1 hr
|
| agree |
Yvonne Gallagher
: ...at least we had...
22 hrs
|
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "Thank you everyone for your help."
+1
18 mins
We didn't have it easy, but at least we had the opportunity
Another way to put it
+3
41 mins
Robert Forstag
United States
United States
Native in English
United States
Translating words, preserving meaning
Native in: English
Works in: Spanish to English, English
Related KudoZ points
:
269
"We weren't exactly dealt the best hand, but at least we had a chance."
An alternative that, while not literal, seems to naturally express the intended meaning.
Suerte.
Suerte.
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Muriel Vasconcellos
: I think this works best in the context.
6 hrs
|
| agree |
neilmac
: I prefer this too.
18 hrs
|
| agree |
Yvonne Gallagher
: others OK but this is best here.
21 hrs
|
Discussion
http://www.elperiodico.com/es/noticias/al-contrataque/mala-e... although I also thought it might be the other way around, like someone saying "when I were a lad down't pit...". That's a Yorkshire accent btw.