surgió algo
/suɾxjo alɡo/from spelling rules
The English phrase "something came up" is translated into Spanish as surgió algo.
This phrase is used to describe an unexpected event that requires your attention and prevents you from doing something else. It serves as a common, polite and non-specific excuse to explain why you cannot attend an appointment or fulfill a commitment.
Which one should you use?
While surgió algo is a general way to say something came up, you can use me surgió un imprevisto if you want to be slightly more formal or precise, meaning "an unforeseen event came up".
How does it change in a sentence?
In the phrase surgió algo, the word algo is the subject, which is why the verb surgió is in the third-person singular form.
How do you pronounce it?
/suɾxjo alɡo/
Did you know?
- The word algo is derived from the Latin aliquod, which is a cognate of the English word 'aliquot' used in mathematics to describe a part of a whole.
- In Spanish, the verb surgir is used both for abstract excuses and for biological growth, such as a plant sprouting from the soil.
- In some Latin American cultures, saying surgió algo without further explanation can be perceived as slightly cold or overly secretive compared to a more detailed excuse.
Examples in context
- Lo siento, no pude hacerlo. Me surgió algo.Sorry I couldn't make it. Something came up.This example shows how to use surgió algo to explain why you could not make it to an event.Tatoeba #10092893 by manufrutos, translation #10092704 by ddnktr
- Amigo, me surgió algo y no podré ir a la fiesta esta noche.Hey, something came up, and I won't be able to go to the party tonight.
- No puedo ir a la cena, surgió algo.I can't go to the dinner, something came up.
- Perdona el retraso, surgió algo en el trabajo.Sorry for the delay, something came up at work.
Example conversation
Sofía is calling Javier to cancel their coffee date.
- SofíaHola Javier, no voy a poder verte hoy.Hi Javier, I won't be able to see you today.
- Javier¿Estás bien? ¿Surgió algo?Are you okay? Did something come up?
- SofíaSí, solo que surgió algo de última hora.Yes, it's just that something came up at the last minute.
- JavierNo te preocupes, hablamos luego.Don't worry, we'll talk later.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries algo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
