This site uses cookies. Some of these cookies are essential to the operation of the site, while others help to improve your experience by providing insights into how the site is being used. For more information, please see the ProZ.com privacy policy.
Cookie settings
  1. KudoZ™ Top
  2. Spanish to English
  3. General / Conversation / Greetings / Letters

bastaba estar en

English translation: [See below.]

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
Spanish term or phrase:bastaba estar en
English translation:[See below.]
Entered by: Lydianette Soza

09:48 Jul 30, 2017
Spanish to English translations [PRO]
General / Conversation / Greetings / Letters / General
Spanish term or phrase: bastaba estar en
Source text:

Bastaba estar en el evento para contagiarse de la alegría que se percibía en el lugar, desde el más pequeño hasta el más grande, dibujaba en su rostro una sonrisa desbordante.

My try:
You just had to be in the event to get infected by/experience the joy you could feel in the place, from the youngest to the oldest had a broad smile in their faces.
Lydianette Soza
Belize
Local time: 15:15
[See below.]
Explanation:
Bastaba estar en el evento para contagiarse de la alegría que se percibía en el lugar
=
Anyone there could not help but be swept up by a prevailing joy that was all but palpable...
OR
Anyone there could not help but be swept up by a prevailing joy that was everwhere to be seen...
****

I have included a translation of the text that follows in order to demonstrate how my suggestion works in the context of the sentence. The real challenge here is dealing with "para contagiarse de la alegría."

I do not think that either of the previous suggestions will lead to a sentence that is natural in English.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 2 hrs (2017-07-30 12:38:17 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

Perhaps better still:
...swept un in a...

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 3 hrs (2017-07-30 13:05:23 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

In previous comment, I meant:

...swept up in a...

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 3 days1 hr (2017-08-02 10:56:50 GMT) Post-grading
--------------------------------------------------

ERRATUM

"EverYwhere" in second option above.
Selected response from:

Robert Forstag
United States
Local time: 17:15
Grading comment
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
4 +6Simply being there was enough to....
neilmac
4 +3it was enough to be in // you only needed to be present
Michael Powers (PhD)
4 +3[See below.]
Robert Forstag
3all one had to do was...
Barbara Cochran, MFA


  

Answers


3 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +3
it was enough to be in // you only needed to be present


Explanation:
the event

Michael Powers (PhD)
United States
Local time: 17:15
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 209

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Isamar: But I would say 'at' (the event) rather than 'in'.
3 mins
agree  Andrew Bramhall: in the event/at the event; depends on whether you're a participant or spectator.
16 mins
agree  neilmac: My suggestion leaves out specific mention of the "event"...
37 mins
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

39 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +6
Simply being there was enough to....


Explanation:
An option...

Example sentence(s):
  • Simply being there was enough to create indelible memories...

    Reference: http://wonderlawnfranchise.co.uk/the-franchise/
neilmac
Spain
Local time: 23:15
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 207

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Wendy Cummings
58 mins
agree  Marie Wilson
2 hrs
agree  franglish
3 hrs
agree  Helena Chavarria: 'You only needed to be there.../Just (by) being there...' is what came to my mind.
5 hrs
agree  Mónica Hanlan
1 day 3 hrs
agree  MollyRose: Sounds quite natural. Simply being there was enough to catch hold of the happiness that could be felt in the air...
1 day 12 hrs
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

3 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
all one had to do was...


Explanation:
Otra opción

Barbara Cochran, MFA
United States
Local time: 17:15
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 52
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

2 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +3
[See below.]


Explanation:
Bastaba estar en el evento para contagiarse de la alegría que se percibía en el lugar
=
Anyone there could not help but be swept up by a prevailing joy that was all but palpable...
OR
Anyone there could not help but be swept up by a prevailing joy that was everwhere to be seen...
****

I have included a translation of the text that follows in order to demonstrate how my suggestion works in the context of the sentence. The real challenge here is dealing with "para contagiarse de la alegría."

I do not think that either of the previous suggestions will lead to a sentence that is natural in English.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 2 hrs (2017-07-30 12:38:17 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

Perhaps better still:
...swept un in a...

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 3 hrs (2017-07-30 13:05:23 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

In previous comment, I meant:

...swept up in a...

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 3 days1 hr (2017-08-02 10:56:50 GMT) Post-grading
--------------------------------------------------

ERRATUM

"EverYwhere" in second option above.


Robert Forstag
United States
Local time: 17:15
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 318

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Muriel Vasconcellos
11 hrs
  -> Thank you, Muriel.
agree  Michele Fauble
1 day 5 hrs
  -> Thank you, Michele.
agree  MollyRose: Anyone there could not help but be ... Also sounds good!
1 day 10 hrs
  -> Thank you, MollyRose. As far as I can see, none of the other suggestions (including the other one you agreed with) produce a sentence that sounds natural in English. I hope that the Asker is capable of appreciating this....
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.

Return to KudoZ list

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:
ProZ.com term search
Search millions of term translations
Close search
Term search
  • All of ProZ.com
  • Term search
  • Jobs
  • Forums
  • Multiple search