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entender a base de palos

English translation: to understand things the hard way

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
Spanish term or phrase:entender a base de palos
English translation:to understand things the hard way
Entered by: Simon Bruni

09:54 Jan 30, 2007
Spanish to English translations [PRO]
Social Sciences - Journalism
Spanish term or phrase: entender a base de palos
Hello. From an opinion article arguing that the Spanish people evaluate governments on the basis of their practical effectiveness as opposed to their theoretical doctrines and that therefore Spain has taken well to democracy:

"Esto me recuerda a un energúmeno que pontificaba ante quien quisiera oírle que el español no estaba en disposición de asimilar un sistema democrático porque solo entendía a base de palos."

I do understand what the "energúmeno" is claiming, i.e. that the Spanish only respond to imposition, but can't think of a nice way to say this in English.

Any ideas?

Thanks for your help :)
Simon Bruni
United Kingdom
Local time: 17:50
understood things the hard way
Explanation:
an option

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Note added at 4 days (2007-02-04 09:44:39 GMT) Post-grading
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Thank you Simon.
Selected response from:

patricia scott
Spain
Local time: 18:50
Grading comment
thanks everyone
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
4 +5understood things the hard way
patricia scott
4 +1only understand when it´s hammered home
Noni Gilbert Riley
4we learn from our mistakes
Carmen Schultz
4only understand when it is beaten into them
David Cahill
4...you have to beat them into understanding (things)
Lydia De Jorge


  

Answers


7 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +1
only understand when it´s hammered home


Explanation:
HTH

Noni Gilbert Riley
Spain
Local time: 18:50
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 12

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  momo savino
3 hrs
  -> thanks!
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

20 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
we learn from our mistakes


Explanation:
Ref. Wrodreference.com forum

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Note added at 21 mins (2007-01-30 10:15:55 GMT)
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sorry: should say 'Wordreference.com' forum

Carmen Schultz
Local time: 11:50
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in SpanishSpanish, Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 4
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

3 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
only understand when it is beaten into them


Explanation:
.

David Cahill
Local time: 18:50
Native speaker of: English
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

4 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
...you have to beat them into understanding (things)


Explanation:
.

Lydia De Jorge
United States
Local time: 11:50
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in SpanishSpanish, Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 12
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

4 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +5
understood things the hard way


Explanation:
an option

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 4 days (2007-02-04 09:44:39 GMT) Post-grading
--------------------------------------------------

Thank you Simon.

patricia scott
Spain
Local time: 18:50
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 4
Grading comment
thanks everyone

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Joaquim Siles-Borràs: That's the first thing that came to mind...
2 hrs
  -> Thank you.
agree  Romina Berardi: Same here
2 hrs
  -> Thank you.
agree  Refugio
5 hrs
  -> Thank you Ruth.
agree  Nivia Martínez
9 hrs
  -> Thank you Nivia.
agree  Gacela20
11 hrs
  -> Thank you Gacela.
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)



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