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thfarrell

Aug 18, 2003, 7:25 AM

Post #1 of 4 (1320 views)

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everyday ??

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Hi...

He asked "Trabajo?".

I said "cada día" and got the feedback "todos los días".

What sort of questions does "cada día" answer?

Can you think of other "yes, that's how it translates, but that's not what it means" beginner errors I might look out for?

thanks,

tom
---
"Beauty is in the i of the Beholder"
(Julia Mandelbrot)

esperanza

Aug 18, 2003, 9:41 AM

Post #2 of 4 (1201 views)

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Re: [thfarrell] everyday ??

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Are you sure he asked, 'Trabajo?' That means 'Do I work?'. Maybe he said, 'Trabaja?'...that means do YOU work.

OK now for your question: if something happens every day, it's todos los días.

'Trabajo todos los días' 'I work every day.'
'Viene el lechero todos los días'. 'The milkman comes every day.'
'Todos los días mi mamá nos prepara la comida'. 'My Mom prepares dinner for us every day.'

However, if you want to say every (as in EACH), then it's cada.

'Mi hermano es cada vez más guapo.' 'My brother is more and more handsome.'
'Compro zapatos cada venida del obispo.' 'I buy shoes once in a blue moon.' (literally, 'every time the bishop comes')
'Cada vez que la oigo cantar, me gusta más su voz.' 'Every time I hear her sing, I like her voice more.'

It's kind of a fine distinction and one which you will understand more as you hear and speak the language.

http://www.mexicocooks.typepad.com

(This post was edited by esperanza on Aug 18, 2003, 9:42 AM)

thfarrell

Aug 18, 2003, 10:28 AM

Post #3 of 4 (1194 views)

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Re: [esperanza] everyday ??

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Hi Esperanza...

Thanks for your reply.

> Are you sure he asked, 'Trabajo?'

Yes - I think he meant it as a noun-pronounced-as-a-question. Sort of like "where are you off to, work?" without the first part. Early morning shorthand.

> It's kind of a fine distinction

True - are there similar ones you can think of?

thanks again,

tom
---
"Beauty is in the i of the Beholder"
(Julia Mandelbrot)

jerezano

Aug 23, 2003, 7:21 PM

Post #4 of 4 (1270 views)

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Re: [thfarrell] everyday ??

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Hello,

Yep, try every other day which is cada tercer día.

Another you should be aware of is a week is 8 days, not 7 and when you are speaking about something going to happen in a week, you use the 8 days. Example: ¿Cuándo regreses? En ocho días. That means if today is Saturday, he is coming back next Saturday, not Sunday. Have you noticed something here? When you count days, you count today too, not like us Americans.

Anyway, you still have me confused. Was the guy asking you if you wanted him to work for you and you were trying to tell him yes, you wanted him to work 365 days a year? Todos los días says exactly that.

You should be aware the normal work week down here is supposedly for 6 8/hour days. And wages are not by the hour but by the day. Still almost everybody knocks off early on Saturday, and the albañiles and their workers only work a half day on Saturday but still expect a full days wages.

And be sure and find out what the regulations require. Full time employees are entitiled to a lot of extra perquisites, including, if a business, a share of the profits, and don't forget aguinaldos, vacations, and a host of other items.

However, domestic employees have no power and most are treated very badly if employed by other Mexicans, although us gringos tend to overpay them.

You sound as if you are new down here. If so, have a good time and enjoy. If you have been here some time and I am wrong, forgive me, just keep on enjoying the life in Mexico. You can't really go wrong. Adios. Jerezano.