bárbaros a las puertas
/baɾbaɾos a las pweɾtas/from spelling rules
The English phrase "barbarians at the gate" is translated into Spanish as bárbaros a las puertas.
This phrase is used to describe an outside threat that is about to destroy or take over a powerful organization.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is a literal translation of the English idiom, using 'puertas' (doors) instead of 'gate'.
How do you pronounce it?
/baɾbaɾos a las pweɾtas/
Did you know?
- While bárbaros a las puertas is a literal translation, Spanish speakers often use the word bárbaro as a slang term to describe something amazing or great.
- Because the phrase is a direct translation of an English idiom, a Spanish speaker might find it slightly literary or artificial compared to more common Spanish expressions for a crisis.
- If you were to use this in a formal Spanish business context, it might sound more like a dramatic headline from a novel than a standard professional warning.
Examples in context
- Los bárbaros están a las puertas de la empresa.The barbarians are at the company's gates.
- Siento que tenemos a los bárbaros a las puertas de la empresa.I feel like we have the barbarians at the gate of the company.
Example conversation
Mateo and Sofía are discussing a hostile takeover attempt at their firm.
- MateoSofía, la competencia quiere absorber nuestra división tecnológica.Sofía, the competition wants to absorb our technology division.
- SofíaEs cierto, Mateo, parece que tenemos a los bárbaros a las puertas.It's true, Mateo, it seems like we have the barbarians at the gate.
- Mateo¿Crees que podremos defender nuestro legado?Do you think we can defend our legacy?
- SofíaDebemos unir fuerzas para sobrevivir a este ataque.We must unite forces to survive this attack.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
