Sometimes, in conversations, we may find ourselves needing to express the phrase “ignore her” in Spanish. Whether you’re faced with a situation where you want to disregard someone’s presence or you simply wish to know how to say it, this guide will provide you with formal and informal ways to express this idea. Throughout the Spanish-speaking world, there can be regional variations in words and expressions, but we will focus on the most commonly used ones. Let’s dive in!
Table of Contents
Formal Ways to Say “Ignore Her” in Spanish
When it comes to formal expressions, it’s important to maintain a respectful tone. Here are a few ways to say “ignore her” in Spanish formally:
- Ignórela: This is a direct and polite way to say “ignore her” when addressing someone formally. The verb “ignorar” (to ignore) in its formal imperative form is “ignórelo” for addressing a male, and “ignórela” for addressing a female.
- No le haga caso: This phrase literally means “don’t pay her any attention.” It conveys the idea of ignoring someone politely, without using the verb “ignore” explicitly.
- No preste atención a ella: This translates to “don’t pay attention to her.” It is a formal way to ask someone to ignore a specific person.
Informal Ways to Say “Ignore Her” in Spanish
Informal expressions vary depending on the region, but we’ll cover some widely used ones:
- Ignórala: This is the informal counterpart of the first expression in the formal section. It carries the same meaning and can be used among friends or in casual situations.
- No le hagas caso: Similar to the formal expression, this phrase tells someone not to pay attention to the person in question. It is commonly used in informal settings.
- No le des bola: Literally translating to “don’t give her attention,” this informal Argentine expression is often used to convey the idea of ignoring someone.
Examples and Tips
Now, let’s look at some examples to further understand how to use these expressions:
Example 1:
Person A: ¿Has visto a María? Está tratando de llamar tu atención.
Person B: No le prestes atención, ignórala. Ella quería llamar la atención desde el principio.Translation:
Person A: Have you seen María? She’s trying to get your attention.
Person B: Don’t pay attention to her, ignore her. She wanted attention from the beginning.
In this example, using the phrase “no le prestes atención” (don’t pay attention to her) or “ignórala” (ignore her) would effectively communicate the desired message.
Example 2:
Person A: Lucía sigue intentando interrumpir nuestras conversaciones.
Person B: No le des bola, eventualmente se aburrirá y se irá.Translation:
Person A: Lucía keeps trying to interrupt our conversations.
Person B: Don’t give her attention, eventually she’ll get bored and leave.
In this second example, “no le des bola” (don’t give her attention) is a local expression used in Argentina to express the idea of ignoring someone.
Regional Variations
While we have covered commonly used expressions, it’s worth noting that regional variations exist throughout the Spanish-speaking world:
- No le hagas caso: This expression is widely understood across regions, but its usage may differ slightly in certain countries.
- No le pares bola: In some Latin American countries, particularly Colombia and Venezuela, this phrase is used instead of “no le des bola” to mean the same thing.
- No le hagas ni caso: The addition of “ni” in this expression, used mainly in Spain, adds a stronger emphasis on ignoring someone.
Remember to consider the context and your audience when choosing the most appropriate expression.
By now, you should have a good understanding of formal and informal ways to say “ignore her” in Spanish. Whether you need to use a formal expression to show respect or an informal one among friends, you are now equipped with a range of phrases. Practice using them in different situations to solidify your understanding of their usage.
¡Buena suerte! (Good luck!)
