cara a cara
/kaɾa a kaɾa/from spelling rules
The Spanish phrase for the English expression 'eye to eye' (referring to meeting or facing someone directly) is cara a cara.
The phrase cara a cara is used to describe two people meeting or facing each other directly in person.
How do you pronounce it?
/kaɾa a kaɾa/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid the mistake of translating the English idiom literally as ojo a ojo. In Spanish, ojo a ojo is not used to mean meeting someone in person and can sound unnatural or imply a different context.
Did you know?
- Spanish has a specific word, careo, derived from cara, to describe a legal procedure where two people are questioned face to face to resolve conflicting testimonies.
- Spanish uses cara to describe the front of a coin, whereas English uses 'heads' to refer to the side with the face.
- While cara a cara means meeting in person, the literal translation ojo por ojo refers to the biblical law of retaliation known as 'an eye for an eye'.
Examples in context
- Lo quiero resolver cara a cara.I want to resolve it face to face.
- Tenemos que hablar cara a cara en la oficina.We have to talk face to face in the office.
- Finalmente nos vimos cara a cara después de tantos años.Finally we saw each other face to face after so many years.
Example conversation
Mateo and María are meeting at a cafe to discuss a misunderstanding.
- MateoMaría, gracias por venir para hablar cara a cara.María, thank you for coming to talk face to face.
- MaríaDe nada, Mateo. Es mejor hablar en persona.You're welcome, Mateo. It is better to talk in person.
- Mateo¿Estás lista para aclarar las cosas?Are you ready to clear things up?
- MaríaSí, hablemos de una vez.Yes, let's talk once and for all.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
