no somos gran cosa

English translation: we're nothing special

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
Spanish term or phrase:no somos gran cosa
English translation:we're nothing special
Entered by: David Hollywood

15:18 Jan 4, 2006
Spanish to English translations [PRO]
Art/Literary - Idioms / Maxims / Sayings
Spanish term or phrase: no somos gran cosa
Can anyone suggest a natural-sounding "expression" in English?

¿Cómo situarse en la posición epistemológica de la humildad? ¿Por qué escaleras o por qué camino hay que bajar? ¿De qué modo acceder a ese privilegiado punto de vista? ¿Cuál es el método de descenso? Hay una ruta que nos llevará con toda seguridad al destino deseado: consiste en darse cuenta de la propia finitud es decir, de la propia pequeñez. En el lenguaje coloquial, la expresión: “no somos nada” intenta, en ocasiones muy particulares, expresar esta conciencia. También con la expresión algo menos extrema: ***“no somos gran cosa”***, se pretende los mismo
Ross Andrew Parker
Local time: 09:50
we're nothing special
Explanation:
something along these lines maybe

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Note added at 7 mins (2006-01-04 15:26:15 GMT)
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or: we're fairly insignificant

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Note added at 8 mins (2006-01-04 15:27:46 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

"insignificant" sounds a little more philosophical
Selected response from:

David Hollywood
Local time: 04:50
Grading comment
Well, this sounds most plausible as an "everyday expression" (though our insignifcance doesn't seem to be such a hot topic).
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
4 +7we´re not such a big deal / we´re no big deal
Giovanni Rengifo
3 +7we're nothing special
David Hollywood
4 +2we're not so great
Barbara Cochran, MFA
4 +1we don't amount to much
Catalina Connon
4we are of little importance
Adam Burman
3 +1We are but small specks on the face of this earth.
Aotearoa
4We ain't big
Сергей Лузан
4we aren't (ain't) "all that"
Heather Chinchilla


  

Answers


6 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +7
we´re not such a big deal / we´re no big deal


Explanation:
-

Giovanni Rengifo
Colombia
Local time: 02:50
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in SpanishSpanish
PRO pts in category: 56

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Yaotl Altan: y olé
2 mins
  -> Is that about the recent bullfighting season in my hometown?

agree  marisa cancellaro: agree on the second one "we're no big deal
12 mins
  -> I like that one better too!

agree  Carmen Riadi
23 mins

agree  Yvonne Becker
29 mins

agree  Roberto Rey
50 mins

agree  Martin Harvey
1 hr

agree  jmcdonough (X)
8 hrs
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5 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +7
we're nothing special


Explanation:
something along these lines maybe

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 7 mins (2006-01-04 15:26:15 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

or: we're fairly insignificant

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 8 mins (2006-01-04 15:27:46 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

"insignificant" sounds a little more philosophical

David Hollywood
Local time: 04:50
Works in field
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 72
Grading comment
Well, this sounds most plausible as an "everyday expression" (though our insignifcance doesn't seem to be such a hot topic).

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Cecilia Della Croce
16 mins
  -> gracias Cecilia :)

agree  Sery
24 mins
  -> gracias sery :)

agree  teju
37 mins
  -> gracias teju :)

agree  Susy Ordaz
49 mins
  -> gracias Susy :)

agree  marybro
3 hrs

agree  Heather Chinchilla
5 hrs

agree  jmcdonough (X)
8 hrs
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30 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
we are of little importance


Explanation:
This sounds good in English and in the context

Adam Burman
United Kingdom
Local time: 08:50
Native speaker of: English
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31 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +1
we don't amount to much


Explanation:
another suggestion

Catalina Connon
Argentina
Local time: 04:50
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish, Native in SpanishSpanish

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Marcelo González: This is precisely what came to mind as soon as I saw the question. :-)
1 hr
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38 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +2
we're not so great


Explanation:
In the sense of "grand" and opposed to "humbleness."

Barbara Cochran, MFA
United States
Local time: 03:50
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 16

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Laura Iglesias
37 mins
  -> Muchas Gracias, Laura.

agree  Heather Chinchilla
5 hrs
  -> Muchas gracias, Heather.
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31 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +1
We are but small specks on the face of this earth.


Explanation:
...

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Note added at 41 mins (2006-01-04 16:00:18 GMT)
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http://www.uuworld.org/2005/03/affirmation.html

Aotearoa
New Zealand
Local time: 19:50
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 4

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Heather Chinchilla
5 hrs
  -> Thank you.
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49 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
We ain't big


Explanation:
"We ain't that big / We ain't so big / We ain't big enough"
are severeal other options that might be considered.
Hope they can help in some respect. Good luck, Ross!
Think Pink : Bombarded
We ain't big and powerful enough (though sometimes we thing we are) to mess up God and his plans! Mercy will lead our steps and God's love will guide our ...
think_pink.typepad.com/ think_pink/2004/08/bombarded.html

Сергей Лузан
Russian Federation
Local time: 10:50
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in RussianRussian
PRO pts in category: 4
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6 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
we aren't (ain't) "all that"


Explanation:
Termino coloquial de EEUU. Suerte.


http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=all that


1. all that link send redefine 18 up, 4 down

A comedy sketch show made by Nicklodeon. The earlier episodes being better than the newer ones. Popular skits were Repair man, ask ashley, superdude, and vital information for your everyday life.Did you see the new episode of all that? it was funny.
Source: Heather, Sep 14, 2003
2. all that link send redefine 12 thumbs up

Meaning that one is on the top of their game. Also means that a person thinks they are the coolest, most badxxx person in the world. Most often it is only an opinion of the person. Often times the person who thinks they are "all that" is the only person who thinks they are."Look at that fool. That xxxxxx thinks he is all that."
Source: IceWarm, Jun 21, 2004
3. All That link send redefine 10 thumbs up

A show that,in the 90's,was really cool and funny.Now,it's stupid,repetitive,unfunny,and usually has a sucky musical performance.Good: REPAIR MAN,MAN,MAN,*I dun remember how many times he said man*


Bad: SUGAR AND COFFEE!!!
Source: Rinku, *hic*ALABAMA!*hic*(run), May 4, 2005
4. all that link send redefine 5 thumbs up

in possession of all good qualitiesIm all that and a bag of chips
Source: ac, Feb 10, 2004
5. all that link send redefine 4 up, 1 down

Superior. Admired. A cut above. Possessed of the qualities envied by one's peers. Most often encountered when one guest on Jerry Springer feels another to have too high an opinion of themselves."She thinks she's all that, but she ain't."
Source: marcata, Aug 14, 2003
6. all that link send redefine 4 up, 2 down

Someone who thinks they are the best lookin thang and can wear anything and still look hot...usually a xx. They believe can get anything and anyone they want, usually a man."he might think he all that, but he not!"

"Zaheen got a complete makeover cuz her friend Kevin let her know bout reality that she ain't all that even though she think otherwise"

"I'm all that and a bag of chips, plus dip..."

"ya'll must think I'm all that cuz you sayin' it you see what I'm sayin'?"

"I may be fat, but honey I'm all that"
Source: Kevin F, Ottawa, Apr 28, 2005
7. All That link send redefine 4 up, 4 down

Popular Nickelodeon show from the 90s, having such stars as Kenan Thomson(who is now on Saturday Night Live), Amanda Bynes, Kel Michel, and Lori Beth Dinburg. They're still making new episodes, but they're not as good as the orignal, but they are good.Past
Repairman: Im REPAIR MAN MAN MAN MAN!!!!!!

Present
Johny Quench: HERE COMES ME!!!!!

It's still funny, so shut up
Source: GoodCharoletemustdie, ,, May 28, 2005
8. all that link send redefine 1 up, 1 down

In possession of all good qualities.
Source: VAKI5, Sep 25, 2003
9. all that link send redefine 3 up, 8 down

What a lot of those rich chicks who are popular and pretty think they are, but in reality, they suck and are vain.Why would you want to think you're better when you have money and popularity? What's on the inside is what is more important!
Source: lunar shadows, Jan 28, 2005

Heather Chinchilla
United States
Local time: 03:50
Native speaker of: English
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