What does it mean word for word?
The expression tenderte una trampa literally means "to lay/spread a trap for you". It is composed of the verb tender (to stretch/lay out), the indirect object pronoun te (you) and una trampa (a trap).
How does it change in a sentence?
The default form tenderte una trampa is an infinitive construction, typically used when the phrase is the object of another verb, such as in intentaron tenderte una trampa (they tried to set you up). To say "they set you up" in the past tense, you use the third-person plural of the verb followed by the object pronoun te, as in te tendieron una trampa. You may also change the indefinite article una (a) to the definite article la (the) to say te tendieron la trampa (they set the trap for you), which is common when referring to a specific setup already established in conversation.
How do you pronounce it?
/tendeɾte una tɾampa/
Did you know?
- The verb tender used in tenderte una trampa is the same word a Spanish speaker uses when they are hanging clothes on a line or making a bed.
- The word trampa may have been borrowed from the Middle High German word trampen, which meant 'to walk heavily'.
- In Spanish, trampa is used not only for malicious setups but also for any kind of cheating, such as using a cheat sheet during a school exam.
Examples in context
- Le puedo preparar una reunión con el directorI can set up a meeting with the director for you
- Me encargaré de planificar su viaje de negociosI will set up your business trip
- Voy a arreglar que nos encontremos después del trabajoI will set up a meeting for us after work
- He organizado una cena sorpresa para tiI have set up a surprise dinner for you
- Te ayudo a montar tu nueva computadoraI will help you set up your new computer
- Le puedo hacer los arreglos necesarios para la reuniónI can set up/make the necessary arrangements for the meeting
- No es mi culpa, alguien me tendió una trampa.It's not my fault, someone set me up.
- No confíes en él, quiere tenderte una trampa.Don't trust him, he wants to set you up.
- Siento que intentaron tenderte una trampa en la oficina.I feel like they tried to set you up at the office.
- Ella solo busca tenderte una trampa para que pierdas.She is only looking to set you up so you lose.
Example conversation
María and Javier are discussing a suspicious incident at work.
- MaríaJavier, estoy segura de que querían tenderte una trampa.Javier, I am sure they wanted to set you up.
- JavierEs posible, las pruebas parecían muy falsas.It's possible, the evidence seemed very fake.
- MaríaNo dejes que logren tenderte una trampa así.Don't let them succeed in setting you up like that.
- JavierNo te preocupes, voy a hablar con el jefe.Don't worry, I am going to talk to the boss.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries trampa, una, CC BY-SA 4.0.
