siglos
/siɡlos/from spelling rules
The English phrase "ages" can be translated into Spanish as siglos.
While it literally means centuries, it is used figuratively to mean 'a long time' or 'ages', just like in English.
Meaning: a long time (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word siglos literally means "centuries".
How do you pronounce it?
/siɡlos/
When do people say it?
In Spanish-speaking countries, it is considered impolite to ask older people about their age directly if they are not close friends or family.
Did you know?
- The word siglo comes from the Latin saeculum, which originally referred to a generation or the span of a human life rather than a fixed 100 years.
- In some regions, the phrase hace siglos can be used as a sarcastic way to describe something that happened only a few days ago.
- To describe a very long time, Spanish speakers might use the phrase desde hace mil años, which literally translates to 'since a thousand years ago'.
Examples in context
- He comprado aquí durante siglos.I've shopped here for ages.This sentence shows how to use siglos to express a long duration of time spent shopping.Tatoeba #5148204 by albrusgher, translation #848764 by CM
- Hace siglos que Mary no lava su coche.Mary hasn't washed her car in ages.This sentence demonstrates using siglos to say someone hasn't done something in a long time.Tatoeba #7906560 by Seael, translation #7377635 by CF
- Pasó hace siglos.It was ages ago.This sentence shows how to express that something happened a long time ago using siglos.Tatoeba #1826489 by teskmon, translation #42556 by CM
- Veinte años20 years old
- Treinta y cinco años35 years old
- Cincuenta años50 years old
- Sesenta y ocho años68 years old
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about a local historical landmark.
- ElenaEste castillo tiene siglos de historia.This castle has centuries of history.
- DanielSí, parece que fue construido hace siglos.Yes, it looks like it was built ages ago.
- ElenaDaniel, ¿has visitado este lugar antes?Daniel, have you visited this place before?
- DanielNo, hace siglos que no voy a museos.No, it has been ages since I went to museums.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
