hecho de otra pasta
/et͡ʃo de otɾa pasta/from spelling rules
The English phrase "built different" can be translated into Spanish as hecho de otra pasta.
This idiom is used to describe someone with a superior character, resilience or talent that sets them apart from the average person.
Meaning: able to do things which others cannot, extremely talented or unusual (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to made of another dough or made of another paste.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase must agree with the gender of the person being described. Because pasta (dough/paste) is a feminine noun, you use hecho for a man and hecha for a woman.
How do you pronounce it?
/etʃo de otɾa pasta/
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, calling someone pasta can also refer to 'money' in slang, though in this specific idiom, it refers strictly to 'substance' or 'temperament'.
- While pasta often means noodles in English, in the context of this idiom it refers to a raw dough or a thick paste used in sculpting and baking.
- The verb hecho comes from the Latin 'factus', which is the same root used for 'fact' in English, implying that the person's character is an established reality.
Examples in context
- ¡Tío, tú eres único! Nadie más puede hacerlo como tú.Dude, you're one of a kind! No one else can do it like you.
- Ella es hecha de otra pasta. No se rinde nunca.She is built different, she never gives up.
- Ese jugador está hecho de otra pasta.That player is built different.
- Para lograr esto, tienes que estar hecho de otra pasta.To achieve this, you have to be built different.
Example conversation
Daniel and Elena are talking about a colleague's impressive work ethic.
- DanielMira cuántas horas trabaja Luis.Look at how many hours Luis works.
- ElenaSí, ese chico está hecho de otra pasta.Yes, that guy is built different.
- DanielYo no aguantaría ni la mitad.I couldn't handle even half of it.
- ElenaEs verdad, es un fuera de serie.True, he is one of a kind.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries de, hecho, pasta, CC BY-SA 4.0.
