palabra empeñada

English translation: keeping her word

05:33 Apr 2, 2013
Spanish to English translations [PRO]
Art/Literary - Poetry & Literature / Testimonial
Spanish term or phrase: palabra empeñada
Pero nada pudo hacer la madre, la mujer joven era decidida y le dio un gran valor a la palabra empeñada.
Angel Biojo
United States
Local time: 18:16
English translation:keeping her word
Explanation:
she was persistent and keeping her word was important to her
Selected response from:

Robert West
Spain
Local time: 03:16
Grading comment
Selected automatically based on peer agreement.
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
3 +3keeping her word
Robert West
5a pledged commitment / a binding engagement
Esmeralda Gómez
5promise or pledge, also commitment
Patricia Urrutia
3given or pledged word
Patricia González Schütz


Discussion entries: 1





  

Answers


1 hr   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5
a pledged commitment / a binding engagement


Explanation:
"palabra empeñada" is a commitment made verbally, something you have to comply with.

Esmeralda Gómez
Spain
Local time: 03:16
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in SpanishSpanish
PRO pts in category: 3
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

2 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +3
keeping her word


Explanation:
she was persistent and keeping her word was important to her


Robert West
Spain
Local time: 03:16
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 4
Grading comment
Selected automatically based on peer agreement.

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Carol Gullidge: I like "keeping her word" for the term in question, although not so keen in "she was persistent" here. Perhaps something like "she was adamant" or" she had made up her mind"?
21 mins
  -> Thanks Carol! I just used "persistent" because it seems she was steadfast in spite of her mother's discouragement. Whatever it was, her mind was set on it because she'd given her word.

agree  Marian Vieyra: and [la mujer joven] was determined to keep her word...
1 hr
  -> Thanks Marian!

agree  Davina Hepworth
3 hrs
  -> Thanks Davina!
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

2 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
given or pledged word


Explanation:
...and she gave great value to her given or pledged word.

I see it as her "palabra de honor".

http://www.linguee.com/spanish-english/translation/palabra e...

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 2 ore (2013-04-02 08:19:14 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

Sorry, to "the" given or pledged word!

Patricia González Schütz
Italy
Local time: 03:16
Native speaker of: Native in SpanishSpanish, Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 12
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

10 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5
promise or pledge, also commitment


Explanation:
"palabra empeñada" in Colombia indicates "promise" or "pledge" we also say "palabra de honor" meaning that you put your honor on the line if you don't keep your promise. It is also a commitment

Patricia Urrutia
Colombia
Local time: 20:16
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in SpanishSpanish
PRO pts in category: 1
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)



Login or register (free and only takes a few minutes) to participate in this question.

You will also have access to many other tools and opportunities designed for those who have language-related jobs (or are passionate about them). Participation is free and the site has a strict confidentiality policy.

KudoZ™ translation help

The KudoZ network provides a framework for translators and others to assist each other with translations or explanations of terms and short phrases.


See also:
Term search
  • All of ProZ.com
  • Term search
  • Jobs
  • Forums
  • Multiple search