Meaning of Parentheses in sentence to be translated

Nicole P.B1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

Meaning of Parentheses in sentence to be translated

Hi,

I get confused at times with the meaning of items in parentheses,  for example, like in this:

but generally all of them give (us) a sweet [US: some candy].

Kwizbot           pero normalmente todos dan un dulce. 
You                  pero normalmente nos dan unas dulces.

What meant by the different parentheses? (us) a sweet [US: some candy].  And how are they to be interpreted?

Thank you. Nicole

Asked 5 years ago
InmaKwiziq team member

Hola Nicole

The information in this type of parenthesis [...] is giving you an extra bit of information. For example, here: 

"a sweet [US: some candy]"

is telling students the word used in the US for "sweet", which is "candy". 

The other parenthesis (...) is normally telling you some element in the sentence that is implied but not specified in the English translation. In this: 

"but generally all of them give (us) a sweet"

we are telling you that the equivalent of this sentence needs to add "us" in the translation, while in the Spanish sentence you don't need it. This is to make translations/meanings clearer.

I hope this helps,

Inma

Nicole P.B1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

Hola Inma and thank you.

This helps and makes sense.  If the word was not used in English, but it was used in Spanish, how would this be described, ie. would it be the "literal" usage that you use?

Thank you.  

Are there other types of  annotations  and is there a place where these are explained?

Thanks again! Nicole

Meaning of Parentheses in sentence to be translated

Hi,

I get confused at times with the meaning of items in parentheses,  for example, like in this:

but generally all of them give (us) a sweet [US: some candy].

Kwizbot           pero normalmente todos dan un dulce. 
You                  pero normalmente nos dan unas dulces.

What meant by the different parentheses? (us) a sweet [US: some candy].  And how are they to be interpreted?

Thank you. Nicole

Sign in to submit your answer

Don't have an account yet? Join today

Ask a question

Find your Spanish level for FREE

Test your Spanish to the CEFR standard

Find your Spanish level
I'll be right with you...