tocó una fibra sensible
/toko una fibɾa sensible/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'struck a nerve' can be translated into Spanish as tocó una fibra sensible.
To mention a subject that makes someone feel strong emotion, especially distress or anger.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to 'touched a sensitive fiber'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form tocó una fibra sensible uses the third-person singular preterite of the verb tocar to express that the action has already happened. The infinitive form of the phrase is tocar una fibra sensible.
Did you know?
- While sensible looks like the English word 'sensible', it actually means 'sensitive'. An English speaker calling someone 'sensible' in Spanish would accidentally be calling them emotionally fragile.
- Spanish speakers often use tocar la fibra as a shorthand, omitting sensible. In this shortened form, it can sometimes imply manipulating someone's emotions for a specific purpose.
- In Spanish, the verb tocar used in this phrase can also mean 'to play' a musical instrument. This reinforces the metaphor of the human heart or emotions acting like strings on a harp.
Examples in context
- Su comentario tocó una fibra sensible en mi corazón.Your comment struck a nerve in my heart.
- Su comentario tocó una fibra sensible en la audiencia.His comment struck a nerve with the audience.
- Mi comentario sobre su pasado tocó una fibra sensible.My comment about her past struck a nerve.
- Creo que ese tema tocó una fibra sensible en él.I think that topic struck a nerve in him.
- Al mencionar el fracaso, tocó una fibra sensible.By mentioning the failure, he struck a nerve.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
