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raferguson

Feb 23, 2011, 9:00 AM

Post #1 of 10 (5623 views)

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First two rows?

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In English, we talk about the first two rows, meaning rows 1 and 2. But when I try to write it in Spanish, it looks funny.

Las dos primaras filas.

Is that right? I am used to thinking about "Primaro piso", but not in terms of using primara in the plural. Maybe this is OK, just not an everyday usage.

Richard

http://www.fergusonsculpture.com

mazbook1

Feb 23, 2011, 10:27 AM

Post #2 of 10 (5607 views)

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Re: [raferguson] First two rows?

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I think it would look less strange if written, Los dos filas primaras, but I could be wrong. I'm pretty certain that the Los goes with dos rather than with filas. That would translate as, "both of the first (two) rows".

(This post was edited by mazbook1 on Feb 23, 2011, 10:30 AM)

La Isla

Feb 23, 2011, 10:47 AM

Post #3 of 10 (5598 views)

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Re: [mazbook1] First two rows?

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I have the feeling that you can't directly translate "first two rows" into Spanish. You would have to say something like "las filas uno y dos".

Bennie García

Feb 23, 2011, 10:56 AM

Post #4 of 10 (5596 views)

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Re: [raferguson] First two rows?

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In Reply To

Las dos primeras filas o las primeras dos filas are both absolutely correct.

primero(a) changes in both gender and plural with the noun it modifies.

en las primeras horas de la noches etc.

BTW it isn't primero piso but primer piso in the singular.

(This post was edited by Bennie García on Feb 23, 2011, 11:15 AM)

Maesonna

Feb 23, 2011, 11:49 AM

Post #5 of 10 (5588 views)

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Re: [raferguson] First two rows?

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The wording that comes to mind as more usual is las primeras dos filas although las dos primeras filas wouldn't be incorrect. To my mind, the emphasis is a little different, though I don’t know for sure if I’m merely imagining that.

BTW, “primer piso,” not primaro piso. But in general, primer(o), primeros, primera and primeras are all legitimate words that have their proper place.

eyePad

Feb 23, 2011, 5:16 PM

Post #6 of 10 (5576 views)

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Re: [raferguson] First two rows?

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raffy,
You are correct. Las dos primeras filas is equivalent to the same idea in vernacular English. Other than your obvious spelling, etc errors which I think have been pointed out.
apáñatelas como puedas

zaragemca

Mar 4, 2011, 9:33 AM

Post #7 of 10 (5482 views)

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Re: [eyePad] First two rows?

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Greetings. I do agree with Bennie Garcia, these is one of those times in which we would say.
'El orden de los factores no altera el resultado'. The difference of how it sound with spanish speaking people, would be in relation of where they come from, one way of the phrase could be of more use in one country than in other. Gerry Zaragemca
International Club of Percussionists

sioux4noff

Mar 5, 2011, 4:31 PM

Post #8 of 10 (5452 views)

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Re: [zaragemca] First two rows?

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That would be similar to English, where the first two rows, or the two first rows, are pretty much interchangeable in use. Of course there really can't be 2 first rows, but it would be easily understood.

La Isla

Mar 5, 2011, 5:36 PM

Post #9 of 10 (5445 views)

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Re: [sioux4noff] First two rows?

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Two first rows makes no sense to me at all! It certainly isn't something I would teach my English students as correct or understandable.

sioux4noff

Mar 5, 2011, 6:43 PM

Post #10 of 10 (5441 views)

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Re: [La Isla] First two rows?

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I wasn't clear - it is not correct usage, but most anyone would understand it if you said "the two first rows are reserved".