promesas vacías
/pɾomesas baθias/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'empty promises' is translated into Spanish as promesas vacías.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of promesas (promises) and vacías (empty).
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Argentina, the slang term Verseador/a can be used to describe someone who makes empty promises.
How does it change in a sentence?
Because promesas is a feminine plural noun, the adjective vacías must also be in the feminine plural form to agree with it. To express the singular 'empty promise', both the noun and the adjective must be singular: promesa vacía.
How do you pronounce it?
/pɾomesas baθias/
Did you know?
- To describe a promise that is not only empty but impossible to fulfill, Spanish speakers use the phrase prometer el cielo y las estrellas, meaning 'to promise the sky and the stars'.
- The word vacías shares a root with vacaciones (vacations), as both stem from the idea of 'emptying' or leaving a place vacant.
- In some Spanish-speaking regions, if someone makes many empty promises, you might call them a vendedor de humo, which translates literally to 'smoke seller'.
Examples in context
- El político hizo promesas vacías durante su discurso.The politician made empty promises during his speech.
- No debemos confiar en sus falsas promesas de cambio.We should not trust their false promises of change.
- Siempre me hace promesas huecas que nunca cumple.He always makes empty promises he never keeps.
- No confíes en sus promesas vacías.Don't trust his empty promises.
- No me gustan sus promesas vacías.I don't like his empty promises.
- Estamos cansados de tantas promesas vacías.We are tired of so many empty promises.
- Él solo hace promesas vacías.He only makes empty promises.
Example conversation
Two friends are arguing about a forgotten favor.
- SofíaDijiste que me ayudarías a mudarme.You said you would help me move.
- MateoLo siento, Sofía, tuve mucho trabajo.I'm sorry, Sofía, I had a lot of work.
- SofíaSiempre dices lo mismo, son promesas vacías.You always say the same thing, they are empty promises.
- MateoPrometo compensarlo mañana, Mateo lo jura.I promise to make it up tomorrow, Mateo swears it.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
