cosas al azar
/kosas al aθaɾ/from spelling rules
The English phrase "random things" can be translated into Spanish as cosas al azar.
The phrase refers to items or events that are chosen or occur without a specific pattern or plan.
Which one should you use?
cosas al azar is common when referring to events or selections, whereas cosas aleatorias is more frequently used in technical, mathematical or computing contexts to describe randomness.
How does it change in a sentence?
Because cosas (things) is a feminine plural noun, the phrase al azar remains unchanged as it functions as an adverbial modifier.
Did you know?
- The word azar shares an ancestral root with the English word 'hazard', both originating from the Arabic word for 'the dice'.
- If you are picking things out of a hat or a bag, a common alternative to al azar is a ciegas, which literally means 'blindly'.
- While al azar describes randomness, the Spanish word azaroso can mean both 'random' and 'dangerous'. This reflects a cultural link between unpredictability and risk.
Examples in context
- Perdone, ¿me podría ayudar, por favor?Excuse me, could you please help me?
- ¿Le importaría repetirlo, por favor?Would you mind repeating that, please?
- ¿Podría hablar un poco más despacio, por favor?Could you speak a bit slower, please?
- Disculpe, no entiendo.I'm sorry, I don't understand.
- Muchas gracias por su ayuda.Thank you very much for your assistance.
- ¿Puedo hacerle una pregunta?May I ask you a question?
- Le agradezco su tiempo, gracias.I appreciate your time, thank you.
- ¿Podría recomendarme un buen restaurante en la zona?Could you recommend a good restaurant in the area?
- Perdón, ¿dónde está la farmacia más cercana?Excuse me, where is the nearest pharmacy?
- Disculpe la molestia, ¿podría bajar un poco la música, por favor?I'm sorry to bother you, but could you please turn down the music?
- Oye, ¿me echas una mano?Hey, can you help me out?
- Habla más despacio, por favor.Speak slower, please.
- Muchas gracias por tu ayuda.Thanks a lot for your help.
- ¿Te puedo hacer una pregunta?Can I ask you something?
- De verdad agradezco tu tiempo, gracias.I really appreciate your time, thanks.
- ¿Conoces algún buen restaurante por aquí?Know any good restaurants around here?
- Perdona, ¿dónde está la farmacia más cercana?Sorry, but where's the nearest pharmacy?
- Perdona la molestia, ¿podrías bajar un poco la música?Sorry to bother you, but could you please turn down the music?
- HolaHello
- Buenos días/tardes/nochesGood morning/afternoon/evening
- AdiósGoodbye
- Hasta luegoSee you later
- Me gusta leer sobre cosas al azar.I like to read about random things.
- Compré cosas al azar en el mercado.I bought random things at the market.
- No me gustan las cosas al azar.I don't like random things.
- Ella siempre elige cosas al azar.She always chooses random things.
Example conversation
Daniel and Lucía are cleaning the living room together.
- DanielLucía, ¿qué son todas estas cosas al azar?Lucía, what are all these random things?
- LucíaSon recuerdos de mis viajes, Daniel.They are memories from my trips, Daniel.
- DanielParecen cosas al azar sin ningún orden.They look like random things without any order.
- LucíaTienes razón, voy a organizarlas ahora.You are right, I am going to organize them now.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries azar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
