Apr 30, 2008 17:31
16 yrs ago
3 viewers *
Spanish term
nipedo
May offend
Spanish to English
Art/Literary
Slang
General Mexican slang
I can't find this anywhere. It's in a letter from one Mexican to another and appears twice, always in direct address:
"...hasta los mios me han dejado abajo. pero nipedo algun dia saldre."
and the other use: "... pero me chingaron, nipedo."
I can bet it isn't a compliment! But what's the English equivalent?
"...hasta los mios me han dejado abajo. pero nipedo algun dia saldre."
and the other use: "... pero me chingaron, nipedo."
I can bet it isn't a compliment! But what's the English equivalent?
Proposed translations
(English)
Change log
May 3, 2008 18:38: Fabio Descalzi changed "Field" from "Other" to "Art/Literary" , "May Offend" from "Not Checked" to "Checked"
Proposed translations
+1
3 hrs
Selected
Depending on context and tone of voice
As someone who regularly uses and hears this slang phrase, I can tell you that there are slight nuances in meaning depending on the context and tone. Generally the sense is that there's no help for a bad situation.
For example, expressing reluctant acceptance of an unfortunate situation, like: Pensaba ir al cine pero tengo que chambear, ni pedo (I was thinking of going to the movies but I have to work. Oh well). Disappointed tone of voice and often accompanied by a shrug.
Telling someone else to accept a similarly unfortunate situation: Ya sé tienes hueva de ir a chambear pero hay que pagar la renta, ni pedo. (I know you don't feel like going to work but you gotta pay the rent, so suck it up). Here the tone of voice is less disappointed and more like giving someone advice that they don't want to hear.
I could go on but I think you get the idea.
As for your examples:
"hasta los míos me han dejado abajo. pero ni pedo algún día saldré" My own people have given up on me, but no matter, one day I'll get ahead.
"pero me chingaron, ni pedo" But they screwed me over, nothing I can do about it.
Hope this helps.
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Note added at 3 hrs (2008-04-30 21:22:56 GMT)
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Sorry, in my 2nd example that was supposed to be "ya sé QUE tienes hueva..."
For example, expressing reluctant acceptance of an unfortunate situation, like: Pensaba ir al cine pero tengo que chambear, ni pedo (I was thinking of going to the movies but I have to work. Oh well). Disappointed tone of voice and often accompanied by a shrug.
Telling someone else to accept a similarly unfortunate situation: Ya sé tienes hueva de ir a chambear pero hay que pagar la renta, ni pedo. (I know you don't feel like going to work but you gotta pay the rent, so suck it up). Here the tone of voice is less disappointed and more like giving someone advice that they don't want to hear.
I could go on but I think you get the idea.
As for your examples:
"hasta los míos me han dejado abajo. pero ni pedo algún día saldré" My own people have given up on me, but no matter, one day I'll get ahead.
"pero me chingaron, ni pedo" But they screwed me over, nothing I can do about it.
Hope this helps.
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Note added at 3 hrs (2008-04-30 21:22:56 GMT)
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Sorry, in my 2nd example that was supposed to be "ya sé QUE tienes hueva..."
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "All interesting answers, but yours' was really the best. Thank you for the lesson!"
-2
5 mins
ni pedo (not worth a fart)
that's how I understand it ... sort of like "ni modo" only dirty
Peer comment(s):
disagree |
JoseAlejandro
: no, that doesn't quite capture it...sorry!
2 hrs
|
disagree |
Juan Jacob
: Yes, like "ni modo", but not correct.
10 hrs
|
+2
5 mins
Spanish term (edited):
ni pedo
ver nota
It's not a word, but two: ni pedo = ni modo.
Too bad! and What a shame are too formal.
May be WHAT A FUCK!
Too bad! and What a shame are too formal.
May be WHAT A FUCK!
Peer comment(s):
agree |
JoseAlejandro
: all true
2 hrs
|
agree |
Juan Jacob
: ¡Ese! Ni pedo, mano, mañana hay que trabajar.
10 hrs
|
neutral |
MSuderman
: This is okay but "what a fuck" isn't accurate (it would be "what THE fuck" meaning "qué pedo," not "ni pedo" - two entirely different concepts).
1 day 2 hrs
|
8 mins
no problem
Except more vulgar. It's actually "ni pedo" written by someone with a tenuous grip on correct spelling. See other examples of use: http://tinyurl.com/5hfe9k
Peer comment(s):
neutral |
JoseAlejandro
: yes, "no problem" but with a hint of dejection
2 hrs
|
You're right, probably closer to "ni modo" - "oh well, that's the way it is".
|
+2
22 mins
Spanish term (edited):
ni pedo
but what the heck...
I don't give a damn anyway....
Peer comment(s):
agree |
JoseAlejandro
: yes, something along these lines!
2 hrs
|
agree |
Juan Jacob
: No está mal.
9 hrs
|
+1
1 hr
-1
2 hrs
no way
otra opción
Peer comment(s):
neutral |
JoseAlejandro
: Sorry, this neither denotes nor connotes the source meaning.
30 mins
|
disagree |
Juan Jacob
: No es el significado.
7 hrs
|
+2
4 hrs
(but) whatever
As this seems to be the phrase that defines the younger generation today, I think this should be included.
and as the other answerers have already pointed out, it should be "ni pedo", but whatever....:)
and as the other answerers have already pointed out, it should be "ni pedo", but whatever....:)
Peer comment(s):
agree |
JoseAlejandro
: Good show, Lynda!! This is almost perfect.
1 hr
|
thanks Jose!
|
|
agree |
MSuderman
: Yes, this does cover many contexts for the phrase, but sometimes it means something more like "Deal with it" (or "suck it up" as I mentioned in my longwinded explanation). Otherwise, you hit the nail on the head.
22 hrs
|
Hi Michelle, thanks :) your explanation was well done.
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