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The Translator's Betrayal Trivia Quiz

In Italy, they have a saying "Traduttore tradittore" that means "translator traitor", because they believe the translations betray the real sense of the text translated. Here are some examples of difficult translations to or from Spanish.

A multiple-choice quiz by pfxc. Estimated time: 3 mins.

Author
pfxc

Time
3 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
361,327

Updated
Jun 04 23

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
388

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Imagine you are in Spain and are suffering from constipation. Which word do you need to use for your ailment in order to get the correct treatment? Hint

constipado

estre�imiento

resfriado

gripe

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Question 2 of 10

2. The English word "actually" is one of the most common mistakes in translations from or to Spanish. What is the Spanish translation? Hint

Actualmente

En realidad

Actualidad

Frecuentemente

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Question 3 of 10

3. Another word often translated wrongly into Spanish is "Army". What is the correct word to use? Hint

Fuerza a�rea

Armada

Ej�rcito

Marina

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Question 4 of 10

4. Should you translate the English word "translation" into Spanish as "traslaci�n"?

Yes

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Question 5 of 10

5. How are the inhabitants of Malaysia properly known in Spanish? Hint

malasios

malayos

malasianos

malasitos

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Question 6 of 10

6. How do you say "after" in Spanish? Hint

arriba

antes

despu�s

con

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Question 7 of 10

7. How should you properly translate the word "hypnotist" into Spanish? Hint

hipnotista

hipnotizador

both

neither

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Question 8 of 10

8. How do you translate "idiom" into Spanish? Hint

dicho

idioma

lenguaje

frase hecha

9. The context in which a term is used is very important, because a different context can give a completely different meaning. For example, if you are at a Spanish restaurant and you are offered a "sangr�a", what would you have if you accept? Hint

A bloodshed

A beverage

A food

An ancient medical procedure

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Question 10 of 10

10. On a Spanish restaurant menu, where would you find a "macedonia"? Hint

wines

main courses

desserts

appetizers

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Imagine you are in Spain and are suffering from constipation. Which word do you need to use for your ailment in order to get the correct treatment?

Answer: estre�imiento

"Constipado" and "resfriado" are synonyms and both can be translated as "a cold". Gripe means "flu". So be careful with what you say to the doctor...

2. The English word "actually" is one of the most common mistakes in translations from or to Spanish. What is the Spanish translation?

Answer: En realidad

"Actualmente" means "nowadays", "actualidad" is "actuality" and "frecuentemente" can be translated as "often" or "usually".

3. Another word often translated wrongly into Spanish is "Army". What is the correct word to use?

Answer: Ej�rcito

Usually translated as "Armada", this word is a synonym of "Marina", both of which mean "Navy". The Air Force would be "la Fuerza a�rea".

4. Should you translate the English word "translation" into Spanish as "traslaci�n"?

Answer: No

"Traslaci�n" is the movement of a planet around a star. "Translation" in Spanish is "traducci�n"

5. How are the inhabitants of Malaysia properly known in Spanish?

Answer: malayos

It is more and more usual to hear them called "malasios" in Spanish, but the right term is "malayos". Malasianos and malasitos don't exist.

6. How do you say "after" in Spanish?

Answer: despu�s

Spanish students often confuse "after" (despu�s) with "before" (antes) because "after" and "antes" are pronounced similarly. "Con" means "with" and "arriba" means "up".

7. How should you properly translate the word "hypnotist" into Spanish?

Answer: hipnotizador

Some translators are using the term "hipnotista" as the translation of "hypnotist", but this term is not accepted by the RAE, the institution which make the rules of the Spanish language.

8. How do you translate "idiom" into Spanish?

Answer: frase hecha

"Lenguaje" and "idioma" are synonyms and both mean "language". A "dicho" is a "saying".

Answer: A beverage

"Sangr�a" is an alcoholic beverage made of wine, fruit juice, fruit pieces and ice. It is called "sangr�a" because of its dark red colour, similar to that of blood. But in a different context, the same word can mean "bloodshed" or the ancient medical procedure of "blood-letting", in which a doctor lets the patient bleed for a few minutes to help him/her eliminate "bad humours" and recover their health.

10. On a Spanish restaurant menu, where would you find a "macedonia"?

Answer: desserts

In Spain, a "macedonia" is a variety of fruit salad. Its name is usually explained because it consists of a mixture of fruits and thus reflects the various different elements of the ancient Macedonian Empire.

Source: Author pfxc

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor stedman before going online.
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