tiempo fuera
/tjempo fweɾa/from spelling rules
The English phrase "timeout" can be translated into Spanish as tiempo fuera.
tiempo fuera is used in sports and technical contexts to denote a temporary suspension of activity or the termination of a process due to a time limit.
Meaning: the intentional termination of an incomplete task after a time limit (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of tiempo (time) and fuera (outside), literally meaning "time outside".
How does it change in a sentence?
When referring to a single instance of a timeout, use the masculine indefinite article un to say un tiempo fuera.
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, a 'timeout' for a child being disciplined is often called un tiempo de pensar (a time to think) rather than using the literal translation of 'timeout'.
- The word fuera shares a distant linguistic ancestor with the English word 'door'. This connection traces back to the Proto-Indo-European root for an opening or an exit.
- Because fuera is derived from the Latin verb 'to be', it is also a common form of the verb 'ser' in the imperfect subjunctive. This means a learner might see the exact same word used to express hypothetical or conditional situations.
Examples in context
- Por favor, hagamos una pausaPlease, let's take a timeout
- Vamos a tomar un descansoLet's take a timeout
- Necesito hacer una pausa corta, ¿me esperas?I need to take a short timeout, will you wait for me?
Example conversation
Alejandro and María are working on a computer problem.
- AlejandroNo puedo entrar a la página.I can't get into the page.
- MaríaParece que hubo un tiempo fuera.It looks like there was a timeout.
- AlejandroIntentaré recargar la página ahora.I will try to reload the page now.
- MaríaDime si funciona, Alejandro.Tell me if it works, Alejandro.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries fuera, tiempo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
