te voy a dar una bofetada
/te boi a daɾ una bofetada/from spelling rules
The phrase "I will smack you" in Spanish is translated as te voy a dar una bofetada.
This phrase is used as a threat to hit someone on the face with an open hand.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to "I am going to give you a slap".
Which one should you use?
You can use te voy a dar un bofetón to intensify the threat, implying a harder or louder slap.
How does it change in a sentence?
To say "I will smack you" to more than one person or to a person in a formal setting, change te to les or le.
Did you know?
- The English word 'buffoon' and the verb 'to buffet' share an unexpected linguistic ancestor with the Spanish bofetada. They all trace back to the same root involving a blow or a puffing sound.
- While bofetada is a common way to describe a slap, in some Latin American countries, a person might use the word cachetada to refer to a slap specifically on the cheek.
- The word bofetón acts as an intensifier not just by size, but by sound. Adding the suffix -ón suggests a slap that is particularly loud or resounding when it connects.
Examples in context
- Te voy a dar una cachetada.I'm going to smack you.
- Voy a pegarte una bofetada.I'm going to slap you.
- Te voy a partir la cara.I'm going to break your face.
- Te voy a dar un guantazo.I'm going to give you a smack.
- Si me sigues insultando, te voy a dar una bofetada.If you keep insulting me, I'm going to smack you.
- ¡Cuidado, o te voy a dar una bofetada!Watch out, or I'm going to smack you!
- No me hables así o te voy a dar una bofetada.Don't talk to me like that or I'm going to smack you.
Example conversation
Two siblings are arguing intensely in the living room.
- Mateo¡Deja de molestarme, Sofía!Stop bothering me, Sofía!
- Sofía¡No te tengo miedo, Mateo!I am not afraid of you, Mateo!
- MateoTe lo advierto, te voy a dar una bofetada.I'm warning you, I'm going to smack you.
- Sofía¡Pues inténtalo!Then try it!
