llorar como un bebé
/ʝoɾaɾ komo un bebe/from spelling rules
The English phrase "cry like a baby" is translated into Spanish as llorar como un bebé.
This phrase can be used both literally to describe the crying of an actual infant and figuratively to mock someone for being perceived as overly emotional or sensitive.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is a literal translation where llorar means "to cry" and como un bebé means "like a baby".
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Argentina, you may encounter the informal phrase Llorar como una Magdalena.
How does it change in a sentence?
To use the phrase in a continuous sense, such as saying "He is crying like a baby", use the gerund form llorando como un bebé instead of the infinitive llorar como un bebé.
Did you know?
- In some Spanish contexts, the verb llorar can be used metaphorically to describe a 'crying' or leaking pipe or faucet.
- Spanish has a specific noun llorón for someone who cries easily, which can be used as a teasing label for someone who behaves como un bebé.
- The English word 'implore' shares the same ancestor as the Spanish word llorar, meaning both words are rooted in the ancient Latin concept of crying out.
Examples in context
- No hace falta llorar como un bebé.There's no need to cry like a baby.This sentence shows how to use the phrase llorar como un bebé to express that there is no need for such behavior.Tatoeba #1423603 by marcelostockle, translation #954990 by CM
- Estaba tan abrumado por la tristeza que se puso a llorar como un bebé.He was so overwhelmed by sadness that he started crying like a baby.
- ¡No grites tanto! No necesitas chillar como un bebé por un juguete roto.Don't scream so loud! You don't need to cry like a baby over a broken toy.
- Cuando vi la película triste, lloré a moco tendido.When I watched the sad movie, I cried my eyes out.
- No me gusta llorar como un bebé por todo.I don't like to cry like a baby about everything.
- El niño empezó a llorar como un bebé al perder su juguete.The boy started to cry like a baby when he lost his toy.
Example conversation
Alejandro is trying to comfort Elena after a minor setback.
- ElenaNo puedo dejar de llorar como un bebé.I can't stop crying like a baby.
- AlejandroNo llores, Elena, todo saldrá bien.Don't cry, Elena, everything will be fine.
- ElenaEs que me siento muy frustrada.It's just that I feel very frustrated.
- AlejandroTe entiendo, pero ya pasó lo peor.I understand you, but the worst is over.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bebé, como, llorar, un, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
