Touchy feely
Whilst living and studying in Spain, I suggested to a Spanish friend that we sit down. Instead of vamos a sentarnos, I said vamos a sentirnos which apparently means "let's go and feel ourselves"!My friend didn't bat an eyelid, just looked at me and smiled!
Sent by: Kate
Comments
I was in Madrid, on the Metro with my friend, Antonio. I was seated and a 50-ish well-dressed woman came onto the train. Wishing to offer her my seat, I asked ¿Quiere sentirle? She just smiled and politely declined. I had asked if she would like to feel him instead of sit down: ¿Quiere sentarse? Antonio was howling!
Whilst on the Spanish exchange, we were wandering round the town of Frias, pretty deserted thankfully. Instead of saying she needed a shower (necesito ducharme) she proclaimed Duchame! with all her might. Thankfully, no one was around, she was asking the world to shower her. Reflexive verbs are a pain, indeed.
Yes, I always get stuck on any Spanish related to sitting/seats etc. and reflexive verbs just make it harder.
That's an easy mistake to make, I lived in Spain for two years and made loads of embarrassing mistakes like that.
This was so funny (to me at least) that I nearly choked on my coffee!
We can console ourselves that such embarrassing moments happen to Spanish speakers visiting English speaking countries as well. A Spanish friend of mine was short taken one day while visiting the church of St. Martin in the Field in London. With some urgency she asked the attendent "Are there services, please?" (¿Hay servicios, por favor? in Spanish). He responded, yes of course. The next one is at 10 am tomorrow morning.
Flag this comment