hundirse o nadar
/undiɾse o nadaɾ/from spelling rules
The English phrase "sink or swim" is translated into Spanish as hundirse o nadar.
Meaning: to fail or succeed, on a project attempted (verb)
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase uses the infinitive form of both verbs, which is standard for expressing these types of idiomatic concepts in Spanish.
How do you pronounce it?
/undiɾse o nadaɾ/
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, if you want to express a similar 'do or die' sentiment, you might refer to quemar las naves, which means to 'burn the ships'.
- In Spanish, the word hundirse is used for everything from a sinking ship to a feeling of deep depression or a person sinking into a soft sofa. This versatility makes the phrase feel more emotionally heavy than its English counterpart.
- The verb nadar shares an ancient root with the English word 'natant' and the Latin 'natāre', meaning to swim.
Examples in context
- No puedo protegerte todo el tiempo. Llegó el momento en que debes nadar o ahogarte.I can't protect you all the time. The time has come for you to sink or swim.
Example conversation
Lucía and Mateo are discussing a risky new business venture.
- LucíaMateo, no tenemos más tiempo para planear.Mateo, we have no more time to plan.
- MateoTienes razón, Lucía. Es momento de actuar.You are right, Lucía. It is time to act.
- LucíaAhora es hundirse o nadar con la empresa.Now it is sink or swim with the company.
- MateoEstoy seguro de que vamos a nadar.I am sure that we are going to swim.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries nadar, o, CC BY-SA 4.0.
