Glossary entry (derived from question below)
Spanish term or phrase:
hacer cucamonas
English translation:
strike flirtatious poses
Added to glossary by
Charles Davis
Jul 16, 2019 08:30
4 yrs ago
2 viewers *
Spanish term
hacer cucamonas
Spanish to English
Art/Literary
Poetry & Literature
novel
Hola a todos,
I am stuck on a certain phrase in the novel, "Martina, la rosa número trece". I have looked up "hacer cucamonas" and all that appears is "to give come-hither looks" but this doesn't make much sense in the context. Manola, is remembering her deceased sister-in-law, Martina and how she used to ask Manola could she try on her wedding slip. The line reads as follows: "La enagua que la chica llevaba, y que su hija leía perfectamente sobre aquel delgado y pecoso cuerpo, no era otra que la combinación de su boda. La misma que tantas veces, Martina, pidiera a su cuñada Manola para hacer cucamonas delante del espejo. La había amado como a una hermana, tanto, como sólo se quiere a aquello que se sabe se perderá pronto. Porque no es de ningún sitio preciso."
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
All the best,
Emily.
I am stuck on a certain phrase in the novel, "Martina, la rosa número trece". I have looked up "hacer cucamonas" and all that appears is "to give come-hither looks" but this doesn't make much sense in the context. Manola, is remembering her deceased sister-in-law, Martina and how she used to ask Manola could she try on her wedding slip. The line reads as follows: "La enagua que la chica llevaba, y que su hija leía perfectamente sobre aquel delgado y pecoso cuerpo, no era otra que la combinación de su boda. La misma que tantas veces, Martina, pidiera a su cuñada Manola para hacer cucamonas delante del espejo. La había amado como a una hermana, tanto, como sólo se quiere a aquello que se sabe se perderá pronto. Porque no es de ningún sitio preciso."
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
All the best,
Emily.
Proposed translations
(English)
4 +5 | strike flirtatious poses | Charles Davis |
Change log
Jul 30, 2019 04:04: Charles Davis Created KOG entry
Proposed translations
+5
1 hr
Selected
strike flirtatious poses
I think you might express it like this. As I understand it she stands in front of the mirror trying to look sexually attractive, imagining how she would look to someone watching. "Poses" seems to fit this; she's doing what models do in front of the camera, I think, and "strike poses" emphasises how deliberately she's doing it.
If you don't like the sound of "flirtatious", you could replace it with something else, such as "alluring" or "coy" or "seductive", for example.
If you don't like the sound of "flirtatious", you could replace it with something else, such as "alluring" or "coy" or "seductive", for example.
Peer comment(s):
agree |
Carol Gullidge
: Or perhaps more simply “pose in front of the mirror”?//I always think of posing in front of a mirror as acting flirtatious to see the effect
1 hr
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Yes, perhaps; I suppose if she's wearing a slip the sexy/flirtatious part is understood. Thanks, Carol :-) // In this situation, certainly. If I did it I might be trying to look learned and dignified; my flirting days are over :-(
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agree |
Andrea Sacchi
1 hr
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Thanks, Andrea :-)
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agree |
Paula Sepúlveda (X)
: I agree if the girl is actually flirting and not just acting cute.
2 hrs
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I think it implies that she's pretending to flirt with an imaginary observer: she's practising looking flirtatious. "Hacer cucamanos" implies another person is involved. Thanks, Paula :-)
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agree |
philgoddard
: Or primping.
3 hrs
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If you like! Thanks, Phil.
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agree |
JohnMcDove
: /./You're welcome, Charles. Off topic, but related to the flirtatious nature of the subject, have you checked "Cartas de Color" by Les Luthiers? "cada vez que una hermosa doncella enamora a todos los varones de la tribu, los ancianos sabios sentencian:
8 hrs
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Many thanks, John ;-)
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4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "Selected automatically based on peer agreement."
Discussion
Tal vez Yoghurtu heredó el turbulento destino de su tía, mi hermana, Ganga Nghé… ¡Qué hermosa era Ganga! Cuando ella bailaba la danza de las cosechas, aullaban los negros… Muchos amaron a Ganga. En los caobos que hay a la orilla del arroyo aún pueden verse los corazones grabados y sus inscripciones: “Ganga y Kalubu”, “Ganga y Mengué”, “Ganga y Sir Archibald Bradley”… “Ganga y la tribu Obembe”… y bueno, eran pigmeos… Todavía hoy, cada vez que una hermosa doncella enamora a todos los varones de la tribu, los ancianos sabios sentencian: “Es una verdadera Ganga…”