Glossary entry (derived from question below)
Spanish term or phrase:
Hoy no puedo ni con las bragas
English translation:
I'm completely knackered (BrE only) / wiped out / bushed / dead on my feet today
Spanish term
Hoy no puedo ni con las bragas
¿Cómo se traduciría esta frase al inglés?
Gracias!!
Sep 4, 2014 05:14: Charles Davis Created KOG entry
Non-PRO (1): celiacp
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Proposed translations
I'm completely knackered (BrE only) / wiped out / bushed / dead on my feet today
I thought I'd post this as an answer because I'm pretty confident that it's what it means, and that it's very probably got nothing literally to do with knickers or panties.
"No puedo ni con las/mis bragas" is not common. I think it may well be a rather vulgar variant of "no puedo (ni) con mi alma". But it is certainly used with this meaning. I hadn't heard it before. I tried it on my Spanish wife, who had never heard it either but was in no doubt about the meaning. I think the "ni" indicates that it's metaphorical; "no puedo con las bragas" might mean "I can't cope with my panties", but "ni con las bragas" clearly implies that it's hyperbole.
If it were for an American audience you could use "too pooped to pop", which I rather like, but I don't think it would work for a British readership.
I've posted an example in the discussion section; here are a couple more:
"Lo del perezón es cierto, como suelo decir !toy tan cansada que no puedo ni con las bragas y eso que llevo tanga!"
http://foros.ayuda-hepatitis-c.es/efectos-secundarios-interf...
"aroa estoy muerta...no puedo ni con las bragas XD"
http://www.fotolog.com/heladoypalomitas/13438649/
And this one's pregnancy-related:
"Entro un segundo a saludaros, en cuanto tenga un poco de tiempo, os cuento el parto (abuf) y todo lo demás. Hemos tenido al niño ingresado por ictericia ( se puso amarillo), y entre éso, y las noches en vela, no puedo ni con las bragas ( desechables)."
http://www.foroembarazo.com/mamas-junio-2011-comentarios-y-d...
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Note added at 22 hrs (2014-08-22 12:52:42 GMT)
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Well, it's a word I'm reluctant to use, but I think "untranslatable" is the only way to describe that! Seriously, you'd have to say something like "I'm too tired to put on/take off/change my (disposable) knickers", or "I'm haven't even got the energy to put on (etc.) my (disposable knickers)", but it would sound very forced and unnatural. I really wouldn't advise trying to include "knickers" here :)
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Note added at 23 hrs (2014-08-22 14:27:59 GMT)
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Congratulations, and good luck! Sounds like a useful text for you to be translating.
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Note added at 23 hrs (2014-08-22 14:29:38 GMT)
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And yes, I assume that she was wearing disposable knickers at the time. Lack of experience and expertise prevents me from commenting further!
| How would you say 'no puedo ni con las bragas (desechables)' in English then? |
| I just assume the woman was wearing 'disposable knickers' at the time. I live in Spain and am pregnant now so maybe I should be more au fait with the topic?! |
| Thanks a lot! Yes, very useful!!! |
| agree |
Muriel Vasconcellos
: No knickers is fine - we Americans are to straightlaced to give it a literal translation - at least in polite company.
1 hr
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It is a bit vulgar, but quite funny, I think. Thanks, Muriel :)
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| agree |
Christine Walsh
: I think any of your versions would be fine, depending on the target, but the context is obviously informal. Personally I like 'knackered' or 'bushed'. Saludos
4 hrs
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Thanks, Christine :) I think "Knackered" would be suitable, as it's very idiomatic but slightly vulgar, though I gather Americans don't use it (or even understand it).
|
Spain
Striving for excellence
Native in: English (Variant: British) 
Works in: Spanish to English, Catalan to English
Today I can't even take my knickers/panties on and off
It depends on whether the size of the woman's tummy means her knickers are too tight or that she finds it impossible to bend over and put her feet through the leg holes.
'Today I can't even reach down to pull my knickers up'.
Or it could also mean the woman finds her knickers are too uncomfortable to wear.
'Today I even find my knickers/panties uncomfortable'.
| agree |
Chris Neill
: I have days like that too :)
17 mins
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I've reached the age when I don't need much sleep! Thanks Chris :)
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| agree |
neilmac
: Something along these lines...
26 mins
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Many thanks, Neil :-)
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Mexico
Portuguese and English to Spanish
Native in: Spanish (Variants: Uruguayan, Mexican)
Works in: English to Spanish, Portuguese to Spanish, Spanish to English, and 1 more.
Discussion
I suppose you could say 'I'm so tired I can't even muster (up) the energy to get dressed', but I don't think anyone would just refer to their knickers.
http://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english-thesauru...
'De la misma manera que a mi jefe le puedo decir, según entro por la puerta arrastrando los pies: "hoy estoy exhausta" mientras que al colega de al lado le voy a soltar "hoy no puedo ni con las bragas".'
http://www.proz.com/forum/spanish/3823-spanglish_¿el_futuro_...
You say "it is regarding pregnancy", but can you be more specific? Is there any sign in your context that it might mean the woman is literally having difficulty with her panties today? If not, the natural assumption would be that she is simply very tired today. Pregnant women often do feel very tired.