Glossary entry (derived from question below)
Spanish term or phrase:
no me llegas ni a los tobillos
English translation:
You ain\'t shit compared to me
Added to glossary by
Flavio Posse
Oct 16, 2012 03:37
11 yrs ago
8 viewers *
Spanish term
no me llegas ni a los tobillos
Spanish to English
Other
Idioms / Maxims / Sayings
idiomatic expression
Context.
A gang member tells another gang member "You're not as bad ass as me."
I thought about "you don't measure up", but I'm not convinced.
Thanks in advance.
A gang member tells another gang member "You're not as bad ass as me."
I thought about "you don't measure up", but I'm not convinced.
Thanks in advance.
Proposed translations
(English)
Proposed translations
+5
10 hrs
Selected
You're not shit (compared) to me / you're not worth shit
If we're going gangster, let's talk street, folks.
Flavio, "you're not as badass as me" is pretty damned good, actually.
A couple of questions/variables, including the obvious level of profanity desired.
Is this being said to member of same gang? Or a rival gang?
If the former, better to go with the first option, because it could be said in a neutral tone, even somewhat affectionately, to a younger member of your crew.
The second one is a challenge, insult, fighting words.
Flavio, "you're not as badass as me" is pretty damned good, actually.
A couple of questions/variables, including the obvious level of profanity desired.
Is this being said to member of same gang? Or a rival gang?
If the former, better to go with the first option, because it could be said in a neutral tone, even somewhat affectionately, to a younger member of your crew.
The second one is a challenge, insult, fighting words.
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Charles Davis
: The authentic idiom would be "You ain't shit", wouldn't it? This is gangsta, for sure, but I think it needs "compared to/next to me", making the "I'm (way) badder than you" message explicit.
18 mins
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Thank you kindly, Charles, and you're right about ain't. Just shows you know your shit, dude.
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| agree |
Rosa Paredes
: Absolutely! "You ain't shit compared to me"
4 hrs
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Thank you kindly, Rosa.
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| agree |
Darius Saczuk
4 hrs
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Thank you kindly.
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| agree |
David Ronder
: Yes, given that it's LA
7 hrs
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Thank you kindly.
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| agree |
Domingo Trassens
1 day 22 hrs
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Thank you kindly.
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4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "I've decided to use "You ain't shit compared to me" in my translation. The speaker is actually bilingual and sounds exactly like that when speaking English. Even though the orignal has no profanity, I believe the expression fits perfectly in the context of my translation. I thank everyone for your help."
34 mins
Mariana Egurrola Bergnes
Guatemala
Guatemala
Native in Spanish
Works in field
Guatemala
Interpreter-Translator
Native in: Spanish 
Works in: English to Spanish, Spanish to English
you can"t fill my shoes
It is refered to not measuring up to the other person.
2 hrs
(compared to me) you're just small fry
The speaker is looking down (metaphorically) on his fellow gang member and "small fry" would fit in nicely here. It's suitably insulting!
+1
3 hrs
Lisa McCarthy
Spain
Spain
Native in English
Spain
Especialista de marketing
Native in: English 
Works in: Spanish to English, Catalan to English
Related KudoZ points
:
67
you're not a patch on me
Vulcan Shadows Chapter 11: A burden Lifted, a startrek: the original ...
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"You're good, I'll give you that but **you're not a patch on me**. Prepare to die." He raised the dagger and Spock could only watch in numb agony as it reached its ...
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Patricia Shaw - 2012 - Fiction
'***You're not a patch on me*** and you never were. I remember you at school, you couldn't spell cat. You think I'm stupid? Well, we'll see about that.' Thora stood ...
www.fanfiction.net › TV Shows › StarTrek: The Original Series
"You're good, I'll give you that but **you're not a patch on me**. Prepare to die." He raised the dagger and Spock could only watch in numb agony as it reached its ...
The Glittering Fields - Google Books Result
books.google.co.uk/books?isbn=0755389514
Patricia Shaw - 2012 - Fiction
'***You're not a patch on me*** and you never were. I remember you at school, you couldn't spell cat. You think I'm stupid? Well, we'll see about that.' Thora stood ...
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Christine Walsh
: This one fits in nicely. Cheers
4 hrs
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Thanks, Christine - works better in the UK, I think :)
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+3
4 hrs
you're nothing next to me
I'm suggesting this because I could imagine an American gang member saying it (you don't say it's American, but I imagine that's the context you're thinking of). The Spanish expression doesn't just mean I'm better than you; it means I'm way better/badder/more whatever than you: there's no comparison. So although "can't fill my shoes" is good and idiomatic, I think we need something stronger.
"Not a patch on" seems British to me. I think "can't hold a candle to" is American too, but it sounds a bit old-fashioned; I can't quite imagine a gangster saying it.
But "you're nothing next to me", although it's less of a set phrase than the Spanish, strikes the right tone, in my opinion. "Next to" for "compared to" is a common way of saying this kind of thing in American English, I think (as in "I'm just a bozo next to him", or something like that). Saying somebody is "nothing" is a real put-down.
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Note added at 4 hrs (2012-10-16 07:53:44 GMT)
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"And by the way, I have more muscle now than you'll ever have in your whole pathetic life. You're nothing next to me."
http://thetewf.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=...
"He moved in the ring and went around in circles waving to the crowds and giving the side looks to his opponent , the sort of message that says “You’re nothing next to me”"
http://forgottenrealms.me/2010/12/02/a-story-of-life-and-gla...
"Oh you scared? you gunna cry?
You should be 'cus in my world even death may die
You gotta remember you're nothing next to me, man
I got more musical sense than Erich freakin Zann"
http://wittybutter.deviantart.com/art/H-P-Lovecraft-Rap-2585...
"Not a patch on" seems British to me. I think "can't hold a candle to" is American too, but it sounds a bit old-fashioned; I can't quite imagine a gangster saying it.
But "you're nothing next to me", although it's less of a set phrase than the Spanish, strikes the right tone, in my opinion. "Next to" for "compared to" is a common way of saying this kind of thing in American English, I think (as in "I'm just a bozo next to him", or something like that). Saying somebody is "nothing" is a real put-down.
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 4 hrs (2012-10-16 07:53:44 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
"And by the way, I have more muscle now than you'll ever have in your whole pathetic life. You're nothing next to me."
http://thetewf.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=...
"He moved in the ring and went around in circles waving to the crowds and giving the side looks to his opponent , the sort of message that says “You’re nothing next to me”"
http://forgottenrealms.me/2010/12/02/a-story-of-life-and-gla...
"Oh you scared? you gunna cry?
You should be 'cus in my world even death may die
You gotta remember you're nothing next to me, man
I got more musical sense than Erich freakin Zann"
http://wittybutter.deviantart.com/art/H-P-Lovecraft-Rap-2585...
Note from asker:
| Charles, it is for the U.S. indeed, Los Angeles, to be precise. I should've pointed that out. Your suggestion fits nicely, though I have to say I like Emily's "You're just small fry" and Altogringo's "you ain't shit" (with your ain't suggestion) very much. Anyway, I've got a bunch of vaild and very helpful answers to my question. It's going to be tough to decide. |
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Ma.Elena Carrión de Medina
: Very good, Charles!
5 hrs
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Thanks very much, María Elena :)
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| agree |
Lindsay Spratt
5 hrs
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Many thanks, Lindsay :)
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| agree |
Rosa Paredes
: Agree with your comments also.
10 hrs
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Thanks, Rosa :)
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8 hrs
Wendy Streitparth
Germany
Germany
Native in English
Germany
45 years experience
Native in: English (Variant: British)
Works in: German to English, French to English, Spanish to English, and 2 more.
Related KudoZ points
:
7
You can't hold a candle to me
alternative
+1
9 hrs
Not fit to lick my boots
You are not fit to lick my boots.
18 hrs
You ain't nuthin' next to me.
Keeping the register of gangs, but without the profanity. I don't see anything of profanity in the term to be translated.
Discussion
Although it's great to learn expressions used in other parts of the world as well.
or
no me llegas ni a los tobillos