jugar una mala pasada
/xuɡaɾ una mala pasada/from spelling rules
To pull a fast one in Spanish is to say jugar una mala pasada.
The phrase jugar una mala pasada is used when someone employs a clever or dishonest tactic to deceive another person, often characterized by a sense of sudden betrayal or a prank-like quality.
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, jugar una mala pasada means 'to play a bad trick', where jugar means 'to play', mala means 'bad' and pasada means 'trick' or 'turn'.
How does it change in a sentence?
To indicate who was tricked, you must use an indirect object pronoun, such as le or les, before the verb jugar. For example, le jugaron una mala pasada means 'they pulled a fast one on him/her'.
How do you pronounce it?
/xuɡaɾ una mala pasada/
Did you know?
- In Spanish, jugar una mala pasada can describe a betrayal by a person or a betrayal by fate. It is often used when your own body or memory fails you at a critical moment.
- The English word 'joke' and the Spanish verb jugar are distant cousins, both descending from the same Proto-Indo-European root meaning 'jest' or 'play'.
- While jugar is used for 'playing' a trick, the word pasada also describes a bold or inappropriate comment or action that crosses a social line.
Examples in context
- Él está tratando de engañarnos con esos números.He is trying to deceive us with those numbers.
- Los vendedores intentaron timar a los clientes con precios exorbitantes.The salesmen tried to scam the customers with exorbitant prices.
- No me tomes el pelo, sé que intentas engañarme.Don't mess with me, I know you're trying to deceive me.
- El vendedor nos metió gato por liebre al vendernos ese reloj falso.The salesman pulled a fast one on us by selling us that fake watch.
- Creo que el vendedor nos quiso jugar una mala pasada.I think the salesman tried to pull a fast one on us.
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing a suspicious business offer.
- LucíaDaniel, esta oferta parece demasiado buena para ser cierta.Daniel, this offer seems too good to be true.
- DanielTienes razón, Lucía. Creo que nos quieren jugar una mala pasada.You're right, Lucía. I think they want to pull a fast one on us.
- LucíaDeberíamos investigar más antes de pagar nada.We should investigate more before paying anything.
- DanielEstoy de acuerdo, mejor no arriesgarse.I agree, it's better not to take the risk.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries jugar, mala, una, CC BY-SA 4.0.
