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a que

English translation: rather than

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
Spanish term or phrase:a que
English translation:rather than
Entered by: Karen Marston

11:16 Jun 29, 2006
Spanish to English translations [PRO]
Social Sciences - General / Conversation / Greetings / Letters / sentence
Spanish term or phrase: a que
I am unsure of the meaning of 'a que' in the second sentence of this paragraph from an academic historical essay about criticism of of European queens in the 18th century.
"Parece mentira que aún hoy sean tantos los autores europeos que sigan creyendo en la impudicia y la culpa política de sus respectivas soberanas de la era napoleónica. Es más fácil que se trate de un arma política contra un sistema en crisis a que los tronos de la época sufrieran una pandemia de libertinaje."
Can anyone make sense of it - I understand the rest of the sentence but not how the 'a que' links it. Thank you!
Karen Marston
United Kingdom
Local time: 13:50
rather than
Explanation:
I find the wording of the sentence particularly weird, but I think this is a comparison. One thing is easier than the other. I would translate it as 'rather than'.
Selected response from:

Pilar Díez
Spain
Local time: 14:50
Grading comment
Thank you, and to all those who agreed. I did also use the 'more likely' in Marina's answer but thought the points should go to you as you were the first to explain the structure which was what was confusing me! A great help.
3 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
4 +5rather than
Pilar Díez
5It was more likely a political weapon ... "than"
Marina Herrera
3causing
Martin Wenzel


Discussion entries: 1





  

Answers


6 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
causing


Explanation:
can you not translate it by using a gerund construction,

causing .....the ...........to suffer from

Martin Wenzel
Germany
Local time: 14:50
Native speaker of: Native in GermanGerman, Native in EnglishEnglish
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7 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +5
rather than


Explanation:
I find the wording of the sentence particularly weird, but I think this is a comparison. One thing is easier than the other. I would translate it as 'rather than'.

Pilar Díez
Spain
Local time: 14:50
Native speaker of: Native in SpanishSpanish
PRO pts in category: 3
Grading comment
Thank you, and to all those who agreed. I did also use the 'more likely' in Marina's answer but thought the points should go to you as you were the first to explain the structure which was what was confusing me! A great help.

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Alfredo Fernández Martínez: I choose this one
2 mins
  -> Thank you, Alfredo
agree  reubenius
31 mins
  -> Thank you
agree  Egmont
1 hr
  -> Thank you
agree  Mónica Ameztoy de Andrada
1 hr
  -> Thank you
agree  Susana Mate
3 hrs
  -> Thank you
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2 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5
It was more likely a political weapon ... "than"


Explanation:
If you use the above construction, the "than" is in the same informal style of the a que.



Marina Herrera
Local time: 08:50
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish, Native in SpanishSpanish
PRO pts in category: 20
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