Chapter 15

_Guardarse de_--"to take care" (to guard against).

It carries with it a negative meaning.

Me guardaré bien de hacerlo: I shall take care _not_ to do it. ("I shall take care to do it" would be translated "cuidaré de hacerlo.")

_Hacerse, Ponerse, Volverse, Llegar á ser_, translate the English "to become," when this is not rendered by turning the English adjective into a verb, as--

Se hizo todo un inglés: He became quite an Englishman. Se puso colorado: He became red in the face. Se volvió loco de contento: He became mad with joy. Llegó á ser famoso: He became famous. Se enriqueció: He became rich.

_Hacer_ (_or mandar_) _hacer una cosa_--"to have a thing done."

Me hice enviar los bultos: I had the packages sent to me. Hice escribir una carta: I had a letter written.

_Llevar_--"to carry," "to wear." Llevar á mal: To take amiss. Llevarse bien con todos: To get on with everybody. Llevarse chasco: To be disappointed. Llévese V. estos valores: Take these securities with you.

_Meter bulla_--"to make a noise," "to shout," "to clamour."

_Volver_ (to return, i.e., to come or go again) is used before an infinitive to denote a repetition of its action--

Volver á decir: To say again. Decir otra vez: To say again. Decir de nuevo: To say again.

VOCABULARY.

=abonar=, to speak for a person, to recommend =actas=, deeds (writings) =amén de=, besides =apenas=, barely, scarcely *=arrepentirse=, to repent =bergantín=, brig =concluir un trato=, to strike a bargain =contramaestre de filatura=, master spinner =conveniente para=, becoming =cregüelas=, osnaburgs =crespones=, crêpons *=dar cuenta=, to report =destajista=, contractor =discutir=, to discuss =dobladillo de ojo (con)=, hemstitched =empeñar=, to engage =en regla=, in order =escrito=, writing (_n._), letter *=exponerse á=, to expose oneself to, to encounter =fidedigno=, trustworthy =fracasar=, to fall through =goleta=, schooner =hundimiento=, subsidence =pañuelos de luto=, black-bordered handkerchiefs *=poner pleito=, to bring an action =posición=, position, standing *=probar fortuna=, to try one's luck =proceder= (_n_.), proceeding, behaviour =redactar=, to draw up (deeds), to write out =repulgados, dobladillados=, hemmed =suelo=, ground, soil =telas rizadas=, crimps =vencer=, to win, to fall due

EXERCISE 1 (83).

Translate into English--

1. En contestación á su estimada carta pésanos (we are sorry) deberles notificar que hasta ahora no hemos podido dar con los crespones que nos han pedido.

2. Obra en nuestro poder su apreciable del 3 del que rige con orden para cregüelas, pañuelos de algodón de luto, dobladillados (_or_ repulgados) y pañuelos de lino con dobladillo de ojo, y no dejaremos de darles cuenta detallada de lo que hayamos hecho, en nuestro próximo escrito.

3. El destajista echó a construir pero abandonó la obra á medio hacer.

4. Estamos en que se arrepintió de su contrato y nuestros Directores están por ponerle pleito.

5. Escriben de Brasil que les hace falta un contramaestre de filatura.

6. Conozco á un joven que debería ser competente pero me guardaré de empeñarle sin obtener informes fidedignos que le abonen.

7. De resultas de un hundimiento en el suelo sufrió daños de importancia el cuerpo del edificio amén de haberse caído la chimenea.

8. La goleta y el bergantín temen exponerse al fuerte viento.

EXERCISE 2 (84).

Translate into Spanish--

1. He wants to make us believe that the price at which he sold them barely covers his cost.

2. I do not care whether he gains or loses; I have ceased to take an interest in his affairs.

3. Now I understand, and I shall not fail to take care not to do it in future.

4. He started laughing, and there the matter ended (así se acabó la cosa).

5. He was on the point of striking a bargain with him, but it fell through at the last moment and now everything is to be discussed again.

6. He failed to present himself at the creditors' meeting, and he has therefore forfeited (perdido) his right of opposition (de oponerse).

7. He became very cautious after the experience he had.

8. He became very rich by his fortunate deals (especulaciones) in railway shares.

9. The bill falls due on the 15th inst.

10. This proceeding is not becoming a firm of your standing.

11. The deeds are not in order: please do not take amiss my requesting you to have them drawn up again.

12. I expected to see him, but I was disappointed.

13. Do not clamour so much, and try your luck again.

LESSON XLIII. (Lección cuadragésima tercera.)

THE VERB (_contd._).

The English verbs "shall," "will," "should," "would," "may," "might," when used as auxiliary verbs (viz., as mere signs of the future tense, conditional or subjunctive moods respectively) are rendered by the corresponding terminations of the Spanish verb[195]--

I shall go: Iré. Thou wilt go: Irás. We should go: Iríamos. You would go: Vs. irían. I hope he may succeed: Deseo que tenga buen éxito. I wished he might come: Deseaba que viniese.

[Footnote 195: "Shall," "should," "will," "would," are also rendered by the Subjunctive Mood when according to the Spanish rules the verb should be Subjunctive. Example--

It is (was) possible that he will (would) have to work late: Es (era) posible que tenga (tuviese) que trabajar tarde.]

When they are used as principal verbs they are translated by _Deber_ (shall, should), _Querer_ (will and would), and _Poder_ (may and might), as--

You shall go: V. debe ir. You may speak: V. puede hablar. I will not buy more: No quiero comprar más. You should accept our terms: Vs. deberían[196] aceptar nuestras condiciones.

We would willingly see that done: Quisiéramos mucho verlo hacer.

[Footnote 196: The Imperfect Indicative _debía, podía, quería,_ is often used for "debería," "podría," and "querría." This occurs also with other verbs, colloquially: Yo se lo daba si estuviese aquí _for_ Yo selo daría si estuviese aquí.]

"Can" is translated by the pres. or future of _Poder_--

I can do it now: Puedo hacerlo ahora. I can do it next month: Puedo _or_ Podré hacerlo el mes próximo.

"Could" is translated by the imperfect indicative or the conditional mood of _Poder_--

I did it whenever I could: Lo hacía siempre que podía. I could do it if I had the necessary means: Podría hacerlo si tuviese los medics necesarios.

"Would," meaning "used to," is, of course, translated by the imperfect indicative--

When he was in Paris he would sit in the cafés for hours: Cuando estaba en Paris se pasaba horas enteras en los cafés.

"Should he do," etc., is translated "if he should do," etc. (si lo hiciese).[197]

"If I were to go" is translated "if I went" (si fuese).

[Footnote 197: After _si_ (if--Conditional) the verb is present indicative or imperfect subjunctive (see Lesson XXIV).]

"Can" is translated by _saber_ when the faculty expressed is the result of _learning_, as--

Can you play the piano? ¿Sabe V. tocar el pianoforte?

"To be to," "to have to" are translated by _Tener que, Haber de_ or _Deber_ (see Lesson XXVII), as--

Who is to write out that invoice? ¿Quién ha de (debe) escribir aquella factura? I have to be very careful: He de ser muy cuidadoso. I shall have to work hard: Tendró que trabajar fuerte.

"Let" as a principal verb is translated by _dejar_ or _permitir;_ as an auxiliary it corresponds to the Spanish imperative mood--

Let him speak: Déjele V. hablar, or Permítale V. que hable. Let him ask for it and we shall give it to him: Pídalo (_or_ que lo pida) y se lo daremos.

"To let (or hire) a house"--"alquilar (una casa)"--I have let my house: He alquilado mi casa.

VOCABULARY.

=abogar por=, to plead for =acoger=, to receive =agasajar=, to welcome =apurar=, to clear up, to investigate =arrancar=, to wrench, to pull out, also to date from *=atender á=, to attend =clases nocturnas=, evening classes =condiciones=, terms *=convenir en=, to agree, to acquiesce =cruzados=, twills[198] =culpado=, at fault *=despedir=, to dismiss =desteñido=, faded =detallado=, detailed, circumstantial =estrenar=, to use or wear a thing for the first time =estrenarse=, to commence, to make a start =farditos=, trusses[199] =fiados, book debts =el idioma, la lengua=, language =malversar=, to embezzle =nansús=, nainsooks =negociado=, division (Gov. Office) =oportunidad=,, opportunity, chance =pagaré=, promissory note, bill =parte=, report =perfeccionar=, to perfect =por poder=, per pro =tiro, largura=, length =tomar vuelo=, to develop, to increase

[Footnote 198: Also Aterlizados, asargados, diagonales.]

[Footnote 199: Small bales.]

EXERCISE 1 (85).

Translate into English--

1. Quiso acogerme generosamente en su casa, en donde fuí atendido y agasajado durante el tiempo de mi estancia en X.

2. Le agradecería de veras una orden pues aun no me he estrenado hoy, y V. debería dármela pues me la tiene prometida.

3. Los cruzados y los nansús se han puesto en farditos y estos se han empacado cada cuatro en un fardo.

4. Avisamos á Vs. el envío por correo, de cortes (cuttings) de toda la serie y observarán que son telas de muy buena vista (very sightly) y se pueden pedir en cualquier tiro.

5. Les aconsejamos no tarden en colocar sus pedidos para lo que necesiten.

6. Este negocio tomará mucho vuelo con el tiempo (in time).

7. Arrancan de muchos años los abuses que se cometen en ese Negociado.

8. Se han malversado cantidades de importancia.

9. El Ministro está ocupado en apurar los hechos, estando decidido á castigar severamente á los que resultarán culpados.

EXERCISE 2 (86).

Translate into Spanish--

1. I shall make out a list of my book debts.

2. You would break (faltaría á) your word if you did not plead for him.

3. He should explain his conduct, otherwise he will be dismissed.

4. We shall oblige (contentar) him, but it must be under certain conditions.

5. He is sending me to the Court (Tribunal) that I may watch (seguir) that interesting case (proceso).

6. He sent his nephew here that he might learn our business methods (métodos comerciales) and perfect his knowledge of the English language.

7. You may see for yourself (V. mismo) that the state of the market will not justify (no justifica) buying (el comprar) at present.

8. They might be a little easier in their dealings.

9. Can you claim an indemnity for non-fulfilment of contract?

10. They could square up the account by signing[200] promissory notes at 4 and 6 months' time.

11. They ought to forewarn their agents.

12. He would insist on saying we were in the wrong.

13. Should they acquiesce to the terms of the arrangements, we authorise you to sign it per pro.

14. Had he known the cloth was faded he would not have taken receipt of (admitido) the bale.

15. Mr. Gómez is to visit the Estate (terreno) and send a circumstancial report.

16. I shall let him attend (asistir á) the evening classes at the Manchester School of Technology.

17. It is only fair that (es muy justo que) he should have a chance of mastering (aprender á fondo) the art of spinning and weaving.

18. If he would only devote (si á lo menos dedicase) his attention (to it).

[Footnote 200: See page 162.]

LESSON XLIV. (Lección cuadragésima cuarta.)

THE ADVERB.

The natural position of the adverb is after the verb, as--

El convendría de muy buena gana: He would willingly consent.

But a great liberty is allowed in this respect, as--

Seguramente firmaría el endoso: He would certainly sign the endorsement.

Siempre se lo voy repitiendo: I keep always repeating it to him.

_Mucho_ is the only adverb which does not generally admit of "very" for the superlative; it takes _ísimo_ instead. However "muy mucho" is found, especially when used jocularly.

To the adverbs given in Lesson XXVIII we add the following adverbs and adverbial locutions--

Á la noche (at night) Á manos llenas (profusely) Á ojos cegarritas (blindly) Á ojos vistas (obviously) Á pie juntillas (firmly) Á rienda suelta (recklessly) Á todo escape (at full speed) Ayer tarde _or_ por la tarde (yesterday evening) Cuanto antes (as soon as possible) De buena, mala gana (willingly, unwillingly) De buenas á buenas (willingly) De buenas á primeras (at first sight, straight away) De hoy en quince (to-day fortnight) Hoy hace quince días (just a fortnight ago) De propósito (on purpose) De tiempo en tiempo (from time to time) Día sí, y otro no (every other day) Mañana por la mañana (to-morrow morning) Nunca jamás (never--emphatic) Para siempre jamás (for ever and ever) Pasado mañana (the day after to-morrow) Por mal (bien) que (however badly (well)) Por poco (nearly, but for little) Tal cual vez (once in a while)

EXAMPLES--

Nunca jamás en la vida he hecho esto: _Never_ in my life have I done this.

Por poco se rompió la cabeza: He nearly broke his head. Por mal que le salga: Badly as it may turn out for him.

Adverbs ending in _mente_ are often substituted by _con_ with a noun, as--

Con lujo--lujosamente (luxuriantly). Con dificultad--difícilmente (with difficulty).

This, of course, is found also in English but is more frequently done in Spanish.

_Recientemente_ is generally abbreviated into _recién_ before a past participle, as--

El recién llegado (the newly arrived). El recién venido (the newly arrived). El recién nacido (the new born).

_Aquí, acá, allí, allá._

_Aquí_ and _allí_ are more circumscribed than _acá_ and _allá_--

Venga acá cuando necesite algo: Come here when you want anything. Allá, en su tierra esto se hace: There in your country this is done. Aquí estoy y aquí me quedo: Here I am, and here I remain. Ponga este paquete allí: Put this packet there.

_Ahí_--there (near the person spoken to[201]) also means your city, your country, there (in correspondence).

[Footnote 201: Rule not strictly observed.]

Si los precios ahí son razonables podrá hacerse mucho negocio: If prices over there are reasonable, a large business can be done.

_Por ahí_ = about.

¿Cuántos había? ¿40? Por ahí: How many were there? 40? About that number.

_No_ is used often redundantly--

Mejor es sufrir que no hacer sufrir: It is better to suffer than to make others suffer.

Temo que no llegue demasiado temprano[202]: I am afraid he will arrive too early.

[Footnote 202: This sentence is ambiguous, because it might mean the opposite: Temo que no llegue demasiado temprano sino demasiado tarde. The tone of the voice must be relied upon or a different construction must be used.]

=Venir (to come)=.

_Pres. Part., _Viniendo. _Pres. Indic., _Vengo, vienes, viene,--,--, vienen. _Pres. Subj., _Venga, vengas, venga, vengamos, vengáis, vengan. _Imper. Mood, _Ven ... _Past Def., _Vine, viniste, vino, vinimos, vinisteis, vinieron. _Fut. Indic., _Vendré, vendrás, vendrá, vendremos, vendréis, vendrán;

VOCABULARY.

=á ciegas, á ojos cegarritas=, blindly =agotar=, to drain, to exhaust =al amor de=, near, beside =aparentar=, to appear =basto=, common, inferior, coarse =de bien á mejor=, better and better =cabal=, upright, just =de cabo á rabo=, from top to bottom rom end to end =el efectivo=, the cash, the money =en efectivo, en metálico=, in cash =enterarse=, to get to know =escuchar=, to listen =esquela=, note =etiqueta=, rótulo, ticket, label =hombre llano=, sincere, rough-and-ready man =loza=, crockery =medida=, measurement =medrar=, to prosper *=ponerse á sus anchas=, to make oneself comfortable =porcelana=, china =quebranto=, mishap, misfortune, loss *=salir en=, to come up to =silla=, chair =solicitado=, sought after =un si es no es=, just a trifle *=venir á menos=, to come down in the world, to decline =vidriado=, glassware

EXERCISE 1 (87).

Translate into English--

1. Desde nuestra última revista no se puede decir que haya habido mucha variación en nuestro mercado aunque se nota algo más de firmeza y los precios aparentan ser un si es no es más caros.

2. Siempre solicitados los géneros bastos á precios baratos.

3. Entregué la esquela al anciano señor quien, sentado al amor del fuego, la leyó de cabo á rabo y, como hombre llano que es me dijo de buenas á primeras que no queriendo obrar á ciegas, daría su contestación en un par (couple) de días.

4. ¿Sabía V. que la casa Fernández había venido tan á menos?

5. No, no me había enterado, la tuve siempre por casa fabricante de loza, porcelana, y vidriado, cuyos negocios iban de bien á mejor.

6. Medraron al principio pero ya han decaído mucho.

7. Lo siento de veras. Es muy de deplorar porque el Sr. Fernández es hombre muy cabal.

8. Invirtió una porción de dinero en el ferrocarril aereo (overhead) de N.; eso también le causó algún quebranto.

9. Pobrecito, no le faltaba más (that was the last stroke).

10. ¡Qué[203] barato es esto!

[Footnote 203: Qué before an adjective = how. (Cuán can also be used.)]

EXERCISE 2 (88).

Translate into Spanish--

1. I would gladly accede to your request if it were in my power.

2. We are always impressing upon (llamando la atención de) our warehousemen the importance of marking the measurement on the tickets.

3. Besides being loose (fugitives) colours they are not half so (nada tan) bright as they should be.

4. They advertise profusely and from time to time they issue new illustrated catalogues.

5. Soon (cuanto antes) they will start (principiarán á) issuing them in foreign languages.

6. I never saw a better kept set of books (libros).

7. I was nearly caught in the India Rubber boom, but fortunately I managed to get off (pude librarme) without burning my fingers (cogerme los dedos).

8. Come here, my friend, and listen to me.

9. Here in England things are managed (se hacen) on a different basis altogether (de una manera enteramente distinta).

10. Take that chair there and make yourself comfortable.

11. How much do you require (le hace falta), £100?

12. About that.

13. I was afraid (que no) you were going to ask me for more and that would have drained all our available (que tenemos) cash.

14. How much will the packages come to?

15. Say (digamos) £100 averaging one with the other (calculando uno con otro).

LESSON XLV. (Lección cuadragésima quinta.)

THE PREPOSITION.

One word should not be used in Spanish governed by two different prepositions, as--

He is an admirer of and a contributor to the "Times": Es admirador del "Times" y colabora en ese periódico.

The man I spoke with and wrote to: El hombre con quien hablé y al cual escribí.

However, we find the same construction as in English in cases of _antithesis_, as--

Con ó sin él: With or without him.

El billete cuesta 20 pesetas desde ó hasta Madrid: The ticket is 20 ptas. from or to Madrid.

The Spanish Academy condemns this use, however.

As will have been noticed before, a preposition governing a word cannot be used _after_ the word it governs, as--

The work[204] which I referred to: La obra á la cual referí.

[Footnote 204: Work, artistic, literary, scientific--"obra." Work, manual, or mental--"trabajo."]

The preposition _con_ followed by an infinitive translates the English "by," followed by the present participle--

Con enseñar se aprende: By teaching one learns.

The preposition _desde_ refers to "distance of time or space," as--

He marchado desde mi casa: I walked from my house.

However, _desde_ may be used instead of _de_ before names of countries or cities--

Me escribieron desde Barcelona: They wrote me from Barcelona.

_Para_ may be used together with _con_ = "towards"--

Fué muy bueno conmigo, para mí, _or_ para conmigo.

"_En_ acabando[205] lo haré" has the meaning of "I shall do it as soon as I have finished."

[Footnote 205: _En_ is the only preposition which may govern a pres. participle, generally with the meaning given above.]

We add the following idiomatic uses of _Por_ and _Para_ to what we said about these two prepositions in Lesson XXIX:

_Por_ may translate "on behalf of," "for the sake of," "in favour of," "during," "through"--

Habló por el proyecto de ley: He spoke in favour of the bill. Se presentó por la casa: He appeared on behalf of the firm. Por la paz y buena armonía concedemos lo que V. pide: For the sake of peace we allow what you ask. Les sirvió por cinco años: He served them during five years. Trabaja por la mañana: He works during (in) the morning. Vino por París: He came through Paris. Cotizar por un artículo: To quote for an article. Yo por mí (_or_ por mi parte) prefiero comprar al contado: I, for one, prefer to buy for cash. Por[206] rico que sea, no tendrá 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 géneros ingleses: If I have to pay a dear price, I prefer English goods. Por sí ó por no: In any case, should it be so or not. Ir (venir) por: To go (come) for. Enviar por el médico: To send for the doctor. Por holgazán perdió el empleo: He lost his employment through laziness. Por bién ó por mal: Willy-nilly. Vendré 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 más: He is good for nothing else. Venir para la Pentecostés: To come for Whitsuntide. Esto no es para menos: The thing (or occasion) is worth it. Para español (_or_ por ser español) es muy alto: He is very tall for a Spaniard. Tener grande consideración para este hombre: To have great respect for this man. Dar pedidos para ferretería, ollería, y maquinaría: 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"--

Poseía £10,000 sin los bienes raíces que heredó de su padre: He owned £10,000 besides the real property he inherited from his father.

_Según_--"according to"--

Según 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 =á no ser así=, were it not so, otherwise =anclar=, to anchor =arreglo=, agreement =bajista=, bearish (exchange) =cablegrama=, cablegram, cable =capataz=, foreman =conceder=, to grant =coquillos=, jeans =disposición=, disposition, disposal =empeñarse=, to pledge oneself =en su ramo=, in your line =exclusividad=, exclusive sale =fama=, fame, reputation, name =frazadas de algodón=, 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 consideración=, to take into consideration, to entertain =trinquete=, foremast

EXERCISE 1 (89).

Translate into English--

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

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

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

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

5. Por la buena fama de su casa no debería postergar por más tiempo el pago.

6. Por sí ó por no mejor sería proveerse.

7. El capataz fué al Director por órdenes.

8. Por bien ó por mal tendrá que admitir los géneros pues se han fabricado por su cuenta y tenemos su orden por escrito para ellos.

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

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

11. Por ser género de algodón esta tela es de muy buena vista.