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Madrid me mata

English translation: Madrid rocks!

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
Spanish term or phrase:Madrid me mata
English translation:Madrid rocks!
Entered by: Juan Jacob

09:09 Jul 21, 2006
Spanish to English translations [Non-PRO]
Marketing - Tourism & Travel
Spanish term or phrase: Madrid me mata
I know that the generally accepted translation of this phrase is "Madrid kills me" but I'm hoping for some other appropriate suggestions or just confirmation that this is such a famous catch phrase that I have to leave it as that and stop worrying.

The context is a brochure on traveling to Madrid, staying in a 4 start hotel etc. This is the header used before describing the package.

Thank you in advance and I should mention the rest of the text is French to English except this isolated phrase.
Bailatjones
Switzerland
Local time: 01:55
Madrid rocks!
Explanation:
No sé, siempre me cuesta traducir "to rock" al español, y "me mata" me gusta, así que lo propongo al revés, a ver si gusta.
Suerte.
Selected response from:

Juan Jacob
Mexico
Local time: 17:55
Grading comment
Thank you everyone for all the helpful suggestions and answers. I wish I could split points here! However, Merci et gracias Juan Jacob - this is exactly what I needed for my context - either leaving it in Spanish or this type of translation.
Again, thanks to all!
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
4 +1Madrid me mata
Sheilann
4 +1?????
Y. Peraza
4Madrid is so exciting, is so amazing, is superb
Marina Lara Petersen
3 +1Madrid rocks!
Juan Jacob
3thoughts
Nikki Graham
3Madrid's a scream
Cinnamon Nolan
2Madrid, this town will be the death of me
Terence Ajbro


  

Answers


5 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 2/5Answerer confidence 2/5
Madrid, this town will be the death of me


Explanation:
Just a suggestion

Terence Ajbro
Sweden
Local time: 01:55
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 8
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5 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +1
Madrid me mata


Explanation:
Yes, it is a slogan. As your translation is from French to English, leave it in Spanish for the sake of "local colour" and add a footnote if you like.

Sheilann
Spain
Local time: 01:55
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 52

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
neutral  Y. Peraza: Es un eslogan? Yo no lo habia oido nunca... Y mira que he ido veces a MadriZZZ
2 mins
  -> Key it into Google. It was first used in the '80s referring to the movida. BTW, I live in Madrid
agree  Ricardo Torres: Yes, I agree, it was very famous in the 80s. See this link: http://www.calendarlive.com/movies/chocano/cl-et-education10... they use the "Madrid Kills Me" translation.
7 hrs
  -> Thanks. But this translation is from French to English. That's why I'd leave in in the original.
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7 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +1
?????


Explanation:
To me (and I am a Spaniard), Madrid me mata sounds like Madrid is too much for me, I hate it. I really don't understand the sentence in that context. But maybe what they mean it exactly the opposite, Madrid is SO exciting. Anyway, I don't think this is a famous catch phrase...

Y. Peraza
Local time: 01:55
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in SpanishSpanish
PRO pts in category: 23
Notes to answerer
Asker: Thanks Yaiza, that's my problem with it in this context as well...I think they do mean - I'm exhausted because its SO exciting but it sounds a bit like negative advertising for the city. Especially because there is nothing in the text that follows to explain the phrase.


Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Maria-Jose Pastor: I am Madrilena and this also sounds to me like I detest it, but as an ad slogan it obvously means the opposite, or the ad exec is wothless
17 hrs
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23 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
thoughts


Explanation:
I can't see why they would use the phrase unless they talk about the night life... I lived in Madrid for 8 years, and I don't remember hearing this phrase. I doubt very much whether your average English-speaking person would undrstand it if you left it in Spanish and I can't see the point of a footnote in an advert. So how about saying something like "surviving in Madrid" (although from what you've said already, that probably wouldn't fit the text) or "on the go in Madrid" if it is about activities you can do or simply "staying in Madrid" if that's all the text is about.

Nikki Graham
United Kingdom
Local time: 00:55
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 60
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44 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
Madrid's a scream


Explanation:
"That just kills/slays me" would be the standard translation of the phrase. But I agree with you and the others who say that it just doesn't fit the context of publicity material for a 4-star hotel!

Another option: Madrid's simply superb.
The idea being, at the height of excellence (old-fashioned, the bee's knees, cat's pyjamas ... whatever is "in" these days.)

Cinnamon Nolan
Spain
Local time: 01:55
Works in field
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 28
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3 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
Madrid is so exciting, is so amazing, is superb


Explanation:
Yo lo entiendo así. Para mí la frase "Madrid me mata" quiere decir que Madrid es espectacular, que es lo mejor.

Suerte!

Marina Lara Petersen
Local time: 20:55
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in SpanishSpanish
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5 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +1
Madrid rocks!


Explanation:
No sé, siempre me cuesta traducir "to rock" al español, y "me mata" me gusta, así que lo propongo al revés, a ver si gusta.
Suerte.

Juan Jacob
Mexico
Local time: 17:55
Native speaker of: Native in SpanishSpanish, Native in FrenchFrench
Grading comment
Thank you everyone for all the helpful suggestions and answers. I wish I could split points here! However, Merci et gracias Juan Jacob - this is exactly what I needed for my context - either leaving it in Spanish or this type of translation.
Again, thanks to all!

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Maria-Jose Pastor: for the younger set - who I fear may not be able to aford a 4 star hotel, but i do like this!
11 hrs
  -> Gracias.
neutral  Nikki Graham: wonderful idea I shall have to remember, but not sure it will fit in with the brochure // as it seems to be about hotel only from context given
1 day 6 hrs
  -> Thanks, but why not?
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