Lesson 1.10 Using Articles

Dan L – Sun, 27 Nov 2011 20:06:34 -0600

Near the bottom of the lesson there is an example
"Compré los libros en la librería."

The English version says this means
"I bought the books from the bookstore."

Shouldn't it be
"I bought the books IN the bookstore."
or am I getting ahead of myself?

Thanks!

Raymot – Mon, 28 Nov 2011 08:42:32 -0600

I don't think they are putting too much effort into giving literal translations at all. The sense is the same. The meaning of the sentences are the same, even though, you're right, 'en' doesn't mean 'from'.
You are only still on Lession 1. Don't expect the translations to get any better!

Dan L – Mon, 28 Nov 2011 16:38:26 -0600

Ok thanks Raymot! Ill keep that in mind as I go through it and won't put to much wait on the specifics like that.

Phil M – Fri, 02 Dec 2011 19:10:22 -0600

I think you can use either "de" or "en". Just as in some places "in the afternoon" is "en la tarde" and in other places they tend to use "por la tarde".
Also, you can't always translate word for word into another language. Sometimes, meanings are conveyed in different ways. That's what makes learning a language so interesting as well as difficult.

Rich – Fri, 02 Dec 2011 20:41:16 -0600

Phil,
De acuerdo contigo señor. Tu respuesta es cierto.
Saludos,
Rich

Phil M – Sat, 03 Dec 2011 05:30:30 -0600

Muchas gracias, Rich

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Lesson 1.10 Using Articles

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