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

Chapter 10

Chapter 103,739 wordsPublic domain

4. Yo le había explicado que la Compañía se había constituído para comprar, alquilar (take on lease) ó adquirir de otra manera y explotar y desarrollar cualesquier minas ó terrenos metalíferos; pero no bien le hube anunciado (_or_ le anuncié) que se trataba de terrenos situados en el Asia Menor, se rehusó á tomar las acciones que le había ofrecido.

5. Es que tendría sus razones.

6. Había unos cincuenta puros en aquella caja.

7. Deseo que V. invierta su dinero en esta empresa como deseaba el ano pasado que V. lo invirtiese en el Empréstito del Gobierno Austríaco (Austrian).

8. Le diré que se apresure a despachar los arados con sus rejas y piezas de repuesto, los rastrillos, y las trilladoras.

9. Tal vez mi socio le habra dicho que lo haga.

10. Sí, le ha escrito ayer que no retardase el embarque pues hacen mucha falta, hemos excedido la época fijada para la entrega y no nos tendría cuenta que la Sociedad Agrícola nos los rechazara.

EXERCISE 2 (52).

Translate into Spanish--

1. We wrote them nothing to warrant such action.

2. I warranted him (garantizar) this would not be repeated.

3. The cloth was warranted fast colour.

4. He resorted to extreme means in order to bring about (llegar á) a solution of the difficulty.

5. In the past year the climax of prosperity was reached.

6. Large orders for railway rolling stock were countermanded on account of (á causa de) the feared political complications.

7. Velvet and Cord manufacturers have curtailed their production with a view (á fin de) to check the downward (á la baja) tendency of prices.

8. I matched his sample and I secured the order.

9. Did you hear from your traveller lately?

10. They charged us too much, we can buy on spot (en el mercado) much cheaper.

11. Spot cotton (el algodón disponible) was quoted yesterday one point higher than the day before, but futures declined (bajaron) 3/32

12. Perhaps there are better prospects of the growing crop (nueva cosecha) at present.

13. Do not be long (no tarde V.) in making up your mind (decidirse de) one way or the other.

14. No, I shall soon decide what to do, but I must have a little time for reflection. I cannot bind myself on the spot (al punto).

15. Some of the prints have grease spots (manchas de aceite) and we must refuse to accept them unless under (a menos que nos haga) a reasonable allowance.

16. He has a villa in a delightful spot (sitio) in the country (campo).

LESSON XXVII. (Lección vigesima séptima.)

THE AUXILIARY VERBS.

_Tener_ and _haber_ are used for the English "to have," followed by an infinitive, as--

Tienen que acabar el trabajo para fines de Enero: They have to finish the work for the end of January.

Hemos de seguir los consejos de los peritos en la materia: We have to follow the advice of those expert in the matter.

In such cases _Tener_ is followed by _que_ and _Haber_ by _de_.[155] The former indicates compulsion or necessity, the latter a moral or self-imposed duty.

_Haber de_ translates also "to be to,"[155] as--

¿Quién ha de hacer este viaje? Who is to go on this journey?

_Tener de_ is used in threats--

Tengo de llevarlo ante el tribunal: I shall take him before the court.

"Tener que hacer, que escribir, que comer" and similar expressions translate also "to have something to do, to write, to eat," as--

Hoy tengo que hacer: To-day I have something to do, I am busy.

Tengo mucho que hacer: I have much to do.

Tenemos que comer por todo el día: We have something to eat which will suffice for the whole day.

_Haber_ is used as a principal verb instead of _Tener_ in--

Haber menester de algo: To need something.

He aquí el muchacho, etc.[156]: Here is the boy (behold the boy here, etc.).

Héme aquí _or_ héteme[157] aquí, etc.: Here I am (behold me here, etc.).

It also survives in some legal phrases, as--

Fué habido el reo: The culprit was captured.

Los hijos habidos en su primera mujer: The children by his first wife.

And in some idioms, as--

Allá se las haya: That is his business.

Habérselas con uno: To dispute with anybody.

_Tener_ translates the English "to be" in such phrases as--

Tener hambre, sed, sueño, calor, frío, vergüenza, and miedo: To be hungry, thirsty, sleepy, warm, cold, ashamed, and afraid.

Also speaking of age--

Tengo veinte años: I am twenty years old.

[Footnote 155: In all these cases _deber_ may be used instead.]

[Footnote 156: _He_--imperative mood of _haber_.]

[Footnote 157: The _te_ is the "ethical dative" (which is much more used in Spanish than in English).]

And in--

Tener razón: To be right.

And--

No tener razón _or_ Dejar de tener razón: To be wrong.

We said that the past participle when used with _Tener_ agrees with the direct object, as--

Tengo leídas las cartas: I have read the letters.

But when there is no direct object, of course the past participle remains invariable, as--

Tengo entendido que....[158]: I have heard that....

[Footnote 158: This use of _tener_ for _haber_, especially with no direct obj. following is in general to be avoided; in this example, however, "tengo entendido," the phrase has more force than "he entendido." It implies that the mind is full with the effect of the communication.]

[Footnote 159: Model verb for all those ending in _cer_ or _cir_ preceded by a vowel, except _cocer_ (conj. like _mover_), _mecer_ (_reg._) and _hacer_. (Those ending in _ducir_ are further irreg. in the Past Definite.)

VOCABULARY.

=abrigar=, to shelter, to nourish (the hope) =acciones preferentes=, preference shares =agudo=, sharp, keen =aplazar=, to postpone =asistir=, to assist, to attend =atendible=, plausible =atrasado=, overdue =caldos=, wines and oils (collectively) =consabido=, in question, aforesaid =cuenta de venta=, account sale =dedicarse=, to devote oneself =dejar sin efecto=, to cancel =delicado de salud=, in indifferent health =desfavorable, contrario=, unfavourable, adverse =*deshacerse de=, to part with =domicilio=, registered office of a company, also residence =en este momento=, at the present moment =ensayo=, trial, venture =equidad=, fair dealing =*haber menester=, to need =indemnización=, indemnity =junta de acreedores=, meeting of creditors =liquidar=, to liquidate, to settle, to clear off goods, etc. =mediería, artículos de punto=, hosiery =pagaré=, promissory note, note of hand =palacio=, palace =plazo=, term =respiro=, breath, breathing time, days of grace for payment, delay =retirar=, to withdraw (los) =reunidos=, those present =*tener en cuenta=, to take into consideration =trabajar, *ir, á porfía=, to vie with each other =trámites de la ley=, legal means =viaje de ida=, outward voyage =viaje de vuelta=, inward voyage

EXERCISE 1 (53).

Translate into English--

1. Tengo que hacer hoy y no podré dedicarme á la correspondencia.

2. Si V. no quiere liquidar el consabido asunto tendré de apelar á los trámites de la ley.

3. V. no habrá menester de tanto pues abrigo las mejores intenciones y lo que pido es sólo unas pocas semanas de respiro.

4. He aquí pues lo que se ha de hacer, V. me firmará un pagaré para fin de Febrero y queda entendido que no concederé después ninguna extensión del plazo.

5. Si entonces V. no satisface su deuda mi abogado dará los pasos necesarios y V. será responsable de (liable for) los gastos y perjuicios habidos y por haber (damages accrued and to accrue).

6. La Compañía Nacional de Transportes (carriage) ha instalado su domicilio en el nuevo Palacio de la Libertad.

7. Dicha Sociedad tiene un capital de un millón de pesetas; la mitad en acciones preferentes y la mitad en ordinarias.

8. Se ha verificado la junta de acreedores del Sr.... á la cual no asistió el principal interesado por encontrarse delicado de salud.

9. Los reunidos han decidido aplazar dicha junta hasta el 20 del corriente.

10. Fundándose en atendibles razones nuestro corresponsal deja sin efecto el pedido que nos había confiado.

EXERCISE 2 (54).

Translate into Spanish--

1. We shall have to take in the hosiery although it is slightly (un poquito) overdue.

2. We have to give the example of fair dealing ourselves.

3. Who is to decide on the subject of the indemnity due to the captain of the ship?

4. If we want to withdraw the goods without producing (presentar) a B/L. we shall have to sign an indemnity (indemnidad).

5. We have received the account sale for our wines and oils and regret the venture has not turned out as well as we expected.

6. We found a great difficulty in parting with our surplus (excesivas) stock, of which we had to dispose (disponer) at prices very much reduced.

7. We are unable to inform you to what extent (hasta qué punto) you may calculate on (contar con) our remittance, as much will depend on circumstances over which we have no control (independientes de nuestra voluntad).

8. The rate (el tipo) of the insurance premium is 6/-per cent. on the outward and 5/-per cent. on the homeward voyage.

9. I very much question the advisability (dudo mucho la ventaja) of putting prices up at the present moment when so many adverse circumstances have to be taken into consideration.

10. As a matter of fact (en efecto) most of us (la mayor parte de nosotros) think it would be better to reduce them somewhat (algo) now that competition is so keen.

11. They vie with each other in cutting prices down (reducir) with the result that profits are ridiculously low (irrisorios).

LESSON XXVIII. (Lección vigésima octava.)

THE ADVERBS.

Adverbs are used to modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs.

The following are the principal Spanish adverbs--

Abajo (below) Además (besides) Adelante, delante (before, in point of place) Ahora (now) *Alrededor, *entorno (around) Amenudo, á menudo (often) *Antes (before, in point of time) Antes, antes bien (rather) Anoche (last night) Anteanoche (the night before last) Apenas, así que (as soon as) Aquí, acá (here, hither) Allí, allá (there, thither) De aquí, de allí (hence, thence) Aun, todavía (still, yet) Ayer (yesterday) Anteayer (the day before yesterday) Bastante (sufficiently) Bien (well) *Cerca (near) *Debajo (under) *Por debajo (underneath) Demasiado (too, too much) *Dentro (within) *Después (after, afterwards) *Detrás (behind) Donde[160] (where) En breve (shortly) *Encima (upon, above) *Enfrente (opposite) Entonces (then) *Fuera (outside) Hacia (towards) Hacia adelante (forwards) Hacia abajo (downwards) Hasta (till, until) Hoy (to-day) *Junto (next) *Lejos (far) Luego (presently, soon, then) Mañana (to-morrow) Mal (badly) Más (more) Mejor (better) Menos (less) Mientras (whilst) Mientras tanto (in the meantime) Mucho (much) Muy[161] (very) Nunca, jamás (never) Ni ... ni ... (neither ... nor ...) Ni tampoco (not either) Peor (worse) Pronto (soon) Tal vez, acaso, quizá, quizás (perhaps) Tan, así (so) Tanto (so much) Tarde (late) Temprano (early) Ya[162] (already)

[Footnote 160: After verbs of motion also "á donde." After verbs of rest also "en donde."]

[Footnote 161: Used as in English, but always _muy_ before a past part., as: Muy apreciado (much esteemed). Such phrases as "He is rich but not very" are translated "Es rico pero no mucho _or_ tanto."]

[Footnote 162: _Ya_ is also used for "now." "Ya no"--no longer.]

Those marked with an asterisk may govern a noun or pronoun through the preposition _de_ with the exception of _junto_, which governs these words through _á_.

Adverbs may be formed from adjectives as in English.

The English termination _ly_ is rendered by =mente= _added to the feminine form_ of the adjective, when this changes for the feminine.

Adverbs are compared like the adjectives, but the superlative relative of adverbs is formed with _lo más_, and _lo menos_, as--

Es el más rico: He is the richest.

Esta adornado lo más ricamente posible: It is ornamented in the richest manner possible.

Es el menos exacto: He is the least exact.

Cotice lo menos que pueda: Quote the least you can.

Besides the primitive adverbs given in our list, there are many adverbial locutions--

á toda prisa (with all speed). á la española (in the Spanish fashion). á troche y moche, á trochimoche (in a slipshod way). con blandura (gently). de mala gana (unwillingly). de vez (_or_ de cuando) en cuando (from time to time). tal cual vez (once in a while). un si es, no es (ever so little).

When an adverb is followed by a verb in English _que_ must be inserted in Spanish before a finite mood and _de_ before an infinitive, as--

Después de venir (after coming).

Después que vino (after he came).

The phrases "I say so," " I think it is (so)," "I do not think so," are rendered "Digo que si" (or "lo digo"), "Creo que sí" (or "lo creo"), "Creo que no" (or "no lo creo").

Some adjectives are used adverbially, as in English, without the addition of _mente_, as--

Vender barato, caro (to sell cheap, dear).

Hablar alto, bajo (to speak loud, low).

When two or more adverbs ending in _mente_ occur in the same sentence, the termination is added only to the last, as--

Escribe clara,[163] concisa[163] y elegantemente: He writes clearly, concisely and elegantly.

[Footnote 163: Notice "clara" and "concisa" in the feminine.]

=Caer= (to fall).

_Pres. Ind._, Caigo -- -- -- -- -- _Pres. Subj._, Caiga, caigas, caiga, caigamos, caigáis, caigan.

VOCABULARY.

=á duras penas=, with great difficulty =á la larga=, m the long run =á medida que=, in proportion as =á mejor andar=, at best =á 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 corazón 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 á gastos=, regardless of expense =sobrio=, quiet (colour) =solidez=, solidity =tomar á 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 diseños con flores, con puntos, con rayas, y cuadritos.

2. Con facilidad sin embargo (however) podrá 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 algún tiempo á esta parte tratan Vs. los negocios tan á trochimoche que ya no sabemos á que atenernos (what to think of it).

4. Hago esta consignación de mala gana y le confieso claro y redondo que siguiendo V. á vender tan barato y á plazos tan largos no me tendrá cuenta hacerle otros envíos sino por su propia cuenta ó contra pedidos fijos de los clientes.

5. Clara y concisamente es como se deben escribir las cartas comerciales.

6. Á la par que Vs. (same as yourselves) no somos ajenos á la idea de hacer algún ensayo en la importación de langosta, mariscos, sardinas, y conservas alimenticias, pero debemos ir á medias en cualquiera transacción que se decida.

7. Creo que á duras penas sacará su dinero y á mejor andar tendrá que perder todo su trabajo.

8. Á medida que aumenten los ingresos se aumentarán los dividendos.

9. Recibirá V. en paquete asegurado los nuevos muestrarios que se han confeccionado sin mirar á gastos.

10. Estos restos son una verdadera ganga y además, podrá V. pagarlos al contado ó á plazos largos (easy) como más le convenga.

11. Dejaremos en suspenso su reclamo hasta definirlo personalmente en su próximo viaje á Inglaterra.

12. No puede menos de admitir (to admit) que á la larga esto no puede convenirme, y espero que V. no lo tome á mal que se lo exponga con el corazón 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 (costarán 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 £20,000 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 (mármol).

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 (hará 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 más bajo que V.), nor can we make it out (explicárnoslo) either.

LESSON XXIX. (Lección vigésima nona.)

THE PREPOSITIONS.

Prepositions join words together to mark certain relations between them.

The principal prepositions are--

Á (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) Según (according to) Sin (without) Sobre (upon) Tras, tras de (behind) Para con (una persona),[164] (towards, with, a person)

[Footnote 164: "Fué 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 transacción: 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° de Enero se estableció 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 días: 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 fué 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 á uno bueno por £1,000: To consider somebody as good for £1,000.

Por mejor le envié 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 cédula 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 =á 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 =automóvil=, motor-car =azadas=, hoes =azadones=, pick-axes =azuelas=, adzes =bultos=, packages =cizallas=, shears =croquis=, sketch =diseñador=, draughtsman =*disponer=, to dispose, to arrange =echar al correo=, to (throw into the) post =empeoramiento=, deterioration =en blanco=, blank =estancia=, stay =(un) fardín, 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 =previsión=, foresight =los síntomas=, the symptoms =suspender los pagos=, to stop payments =tejer=, to weave =tenazas=, tongs =textil=, textile =*trocar=, to barter, to exchange =yerno, hijo político=, son-in-law

EXERCISE 1. (57)

Translate into English--

1. De España nos vienen las ricas uvas y las jugosas (juicy) naranjas, además de minerales--de hierro y cobre.

2. El viaje por mar desde España á Inglaterra tarda de cuatro á seis días.

3. Desde el año 1900 hasta el 1910 aumentó mucho la población del Reino Unido.

4. Los Altos Hornos de Bilbao se han construido para la producción de lingotes de hierro.