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raferguson

Dec 21, 2007, 10:56 PM

Post #1 of 13 (8240 views)

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Lo que quieres.

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Sometimes when someone is asking me if they can do such and such, and I want to say that they can do as they wish, I use the phrase "Lo que quieres", as a kind of non-literal translation of "As you wish." The connotation is that you are bowing to their request or demand. It also has a formal tone, at least in English. I might say it with a shrug. So is that a reasonable translation and usage?

Similarly, for "Whatever you want", I might translate that as "Lo que quieres", although I think that there is probably a better translation.

I have been thinking about this lately, and wondering about the best usage. I would be interested in seeing other phrases which have a similar meaning, but perhaps a different connotation or tone.

Richard

http://www.fergusonsculpture.com

ncferret

Dec 22, 2007, 11:10 AM

Post #2 of 13 (8226 views)

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Re: [raferguson] Lo que quieres.

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I've used that expression in a similar manner and also used como tu me dices - whatever you tell me.

Just heard a new expression today. Espero que me tocas arriba. I'm guessing that means I hope you cheer me up?

wendy devlin

Dec 22, 2007, 2:08 PM

Post #3 of 13 (8214 views)

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Re: [raferguson] Lo que quieres.

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Well, am far from fluid Spanish speaking...but what are the implications of subsituting, sí que quieres for lo que quieres?

Thinking perhaps, if you're already comfortable asking your friend what she/he 'quieres', about the subject, methinks your listener is going to cut you some slack, for your best/bad spanish.

Since they've likely already sussed out the level of intimacy/sincerity of your comment/question and its possible intent.

robrt8

Dec 22, 2007, 2:19 PM

Post #4 of 13 (8212 views)

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Re: [raferguson] Lo que quieres.

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Not an expert here...
It sounds like you're saying, "that which you like".
How about "Como Quieras"?

jerezano

Dec 22, 2007, 2:33 PM

Post #5 of 13 (8211 views)

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Re: [robrt8] Lo que quieres.

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Hello all,

We need Sr. Quevedo here. I too, with my bad ears which don't help, have heard most often, I think, the subjunctive in that reply: Lo que tú quieras. Or the Como tú quieras. Or if your relationship is a little more formal Lo que Ud. quiera or Como quiera.

But the original idea is absolutely OK. The reply is often accompanied with a shrug or some other body language to show that the responder could care less. "Do what you want". And of course the tone can vary anywhere from I could care less, to Why ask me?, to Go and do it but you'll regret it.

Adiós. jerezano

Help, Sr. Quevedo.

Adiós. jerezano.

quevedo

Dec 23, 2007, 9:41 AM

Post #6 of 13 (8193 views)

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Re: [jerezano] Lo que quieras

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You're right, amigo de Jerez. Lo que quieras, como quieras, como digas, como mejor te parezca and their formal counterparts, lo que quiera, como quiera, como diga, como mejor le parezca, are all used as equivalents of "As you like" and similars.

Lo que quieres, on the other hand, should be translated as "What you want". Is this what you want? ¿Es esto lo que quieres?

Muy feliz Navidad a todo el mundo,

Quevedo

quevedo

Dec 23, 2007, 10:07 AM

Post #7 of 13 (8189 views)

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Re: [ncferret] Espero que me toques arriba

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Espero que me tocas arriba. Something wrong here: the time of the verb is incorrect. The expression could be Espero que me toques arriba.

Toques is present subjuntive, second person, singular of the verb tocar. Tocar here may have several meanings: 1) Something like Me toca a mí, It´s my turn (and I don't have a direct translation to English for this specific meaning of tocar); 2) to play, Yo toco el violín, I play the violin; 3) or to touch.

Applying the above to the expression Espero que me toques arriba, we have: 1) I hope I will have you upstairs or, I hope you will be up there; 2) I hope you will play when up there; 3) I hope you will touch me up here.

Any bets?

Muy feliz Navidad,

Quevedo

ncferret

Dec 23, 2007, 10:11 AM

Post #8 of 13 (8187 views)

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Re: [quevedo] Espero que me toques arriba

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Given the context I would say it is probably "1) I hope you will be up there;". Still a strange use of the verb tocar - at least to me...

Thanks.

sioux4noff

Dec 24, 2007, 1:00 PM

Post #9 of 13 (8146 views)

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Re: [quevedo] Espero que me toques arriba

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1) I hope I will have you upstairs or, I hope you will be up there; 2) I hope you will play when up there; 3) I hope you will touch me up here.

Hmmm, was the person making a pass at you?

quevedo

Dec 25, 2007, 4:47 PM

Post #10 of 13 (8122 views)

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Re: [sioux4noff] Espero que me toques arriba

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No. You?

Feliz Navidad,

Quevedo

jerezano

Dec 25, 2007, 4:56 PM

Post #11 of 13 (8120 views)

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Re: [sioux4noff] Espero que me toques arriba

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Hello,

Espero que me toques arriba. Could it be the very simple explanation that the person speaking lives upstairs and he/she is saying simply, I hope you knock on my door? That is the way I would read it without knowing any other data. My neighbors here in Zacatecas are always tocando on somebody's door or window or gate. I do it myself.

Or if an agreement has been made to take a drive, a walk or go shopping together, etc. it could have been I'll wait for you upstairs, just knock when you are ready. Or maybe, given the propensity of my neighbors to drive up and honk (tocar) the horn (claxon), I'll wait upstairs until you honk.

Adiós. jerezano

quevedo

Dec 25, 2007, 11:28 PM

Post #12 of 13 (8106 views)

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Re: [jerezano] True

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Muy feliz Navidad,

Quevedo

vwbus1969

Dec 31, 2007, 11:08 PM

Post #13 of 13 (8059 views)

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Re: [raferguson] Lo que quieres.

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Quote
I have been thinking about this lately, and wondering about the best usage. I would be interested in seeing other phrases which have a similar meaning, but perhaps a different connotation or tone.

Lo que sea. Whatever, when presented with two choices neither which matters much to you. You are indicating to the person who presented you with the two options that they must choose, and either choice doesn't matter a bit to you. Note: depending on tone, you are indicating that you would like the person to decide quickly and resolve the matter.

(This post was edited by vwbus1969 on Dec 31, 2007, 11:26 PM)