"...que por poco ya no la cuenta"

English translation: he almost didn't live to tell the tale

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
Spanish term or phrase:"...que por poco ya no la cuenta"
English translation:he almost didn't live to tell the tale
Entered by: worldenglish

02:04 Feb 4, 2008
Spanish to English translations [PRO]
Cinema, Film, TV, Drama
Spanish term or phrase: "...que por poco ya no la cuenta"
How would you translate this to English? The line comes from a person who is relating a story about a friends suicide attempt and the person survived
worldenglish
he almost didn't live to tell the tale
Explanation:
"tell the story" is good, but I think in this context of having a narrow escape from a dangerous situation "tale" would be more widely used
Selected response from:

Linda Hegarty
Local time: 04:34
Grading comment
The choice was difficult but this answer seems more natural and flows better
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
5 +4he almost didn't live to tell the story
Ximena Correa
4 +2he almost didn't live to tell the tale
Linda Hegarty
4... who almost was unable to tell it
Michael Powers (PhD)


Discussion entries: 2





  

Answers


24 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5 peer agreement (net): +4
he almost didn't live to tell the story


Explanation:
It's a common phrase to explain when someone has been in a risky situation or accident.

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Note added at 34 mins (2008-02-04 02:38:24 GMT)
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You're welcome. I hope it helps

Ximena Correa
Chile
Local time: 22:34
Works in field
Native speaker of: Spanish
Notes to answerer
Asker: thanks, very appreciated!


Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Desco
14 mins
  -> Thanks!

agree  Lydia De Jorge
24 mins
  -> Thank you Lydia

agree  Óscar Delgado Gosálvez
1 hr
  -> Thank you Oscar

agree  Marisa Raich
6 hrs
  -> Thank you Marisa
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

1 hr   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
... who almost was unable to tell it


Explanation:
another way of expressing it - although I also like Ximena's answer

Mike :)

Michael Powers (PhD)
United States
Local time: 21:34
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 82
Notes to answerer
Asker: Thank you, your answer helps explain this more literally

Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

5 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +2
he almost didn't live to tell the tale


Explanation:
"tell the story" is good, but I think in this context of having a narrow escape from a dangerous situation "tale" would be more widely used

Linda Hegarty
Local time: 04:34
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 4
Grading comment
The choice was difficult but this answer seems more natural and flows better
Notes to answerer
Asker: Thank you, this seems to flow better


Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Laura Carrizo
11 hrs

agree  Janine Libbey
11 hrs
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