Translating So to Spanish

Translating So to Spanish So is one of those English words that has so many meanings that it can be translated to Spanish in dozens of ways. As such, it can be a confusing word for Spanish students - as a strategy when translating so, youre often better off thinking of a synonym for the way it is used and translating that instead. This lesson looks at a few of the ways so is used and suggests possible translations. In all cases, the translations used are not the only ones possible. Translating So as an Adverb Meaning Very Most of the time when so is used as an adverb meaning very it can be translated as tan. However, muy is sometimes acceptable as well. I was so happy that I jumped in the air. Yo era tan feliz que saltà © en aire.My love for you is so strong. Es tan fuerte mi amor por ti. (Alternative: Es muy fuerte my amor por ti.)He did it so poorly. Lo hizo tan mal. (Alternative: Lo hizo muy mal.)The city is so small that once you leave downtown theres nothing else. La ciudad es tan pequeà ±a que una vez que te sales del centro, ya no hay nada.Why is it so difficult for us to be happy?  ¿Por quà © es tan difà ­cil que seamos felices?The meat was so tasty that it needed only salt. La carne era tan rica que solo necesitaba sal.   Translating So in Approximations As the context requires, various ways of expressing approximations can be used when so is used for that purpose. I need to lose 20 pounds in two months or so. Necesito perder 20 libras en dos meses ms o menos.Im going to buy myself an aquarium holding 100 liters or so. Me voy a comprar un acuario de 100 litros aproximadamente.They stole about 20,000 pesos from her. Le robaron alrededor de 20 mil pesos. Translating So When It Indicates Causation A common use of so is to indicate why something is done. Various phrases of causation or purpose can be used. Often, such sentences cant be translated word for word - whats important is to get the proper connection between the different elements of the sentence. I will give you one so you dont forget me. Te darà © uno para que no me olvides.I was afraid, so I left. Me fui por miedo.I am innocent, so I am not going to go into hiding.  No me esconderà © porque soy inocente.Evil exists so we can appreciate what is good. El mal existe para que podamos apreciar lo que es bueno.There was violence, so many children were evacuated from the city. Muchos nià ±os fueron evacuados ciudad por causa de la violencia.  You can edit your digital photo so it seems like a painting. Podrs editar tu foto digital de modo que parezca una pintura. Translating So as a Transition or Filler Often, so can be left out of sentences without much of a change in meaning. In such cases, you can simply leave it out of the translation, or you can use a filler word such as pues or bueno if leaving out a word such as that would seem too abrupt. So, where are we going? Pues  ¿adà ³nde vamos?So now comes the best time of the year. Pues ahora llega la mejor à ©poca del aà ±o.So lets begin. Bueno, vamos a empezar.So what do you know?  ¿Quà © sabes? Translating So Meaning Also Usually, tambià ©n will work fine when translating so carrying meanings such as also or in addition: Youre from Texas? So am I!  ¿Eres de Tejas?  ¡Tambià ©n yo!I slept and so did they. Yo dormà ­ y tambià ©n ellos. Translating So in Set Phrases When so is used in various phrases or idioms, you can often translate the phrases as a whole for meaning, as in the following examples: The book has recipes for shakes of fruits such as apples, oranges, strawberries, kiwis and so on. El libro tiene recetas de batidos de frutas como las manzanas, naranjas, fresas, kiwis, etcà ©tera.Hes not a citizen. So what? No es ciudadano.  ¿Y quà ©?Every so often I imagine a good future. De cuando en cuando imagino un buen futuro.These are treated just so. Estos son tratados con sumo cuidado.I am going to buy raspberries, applies, blackberries, peras, strawberries, and so on. Voy a comprar frambuesas, manzanas, moras, peras, fresas, etcà ©tera.