mano dura
/mano duɾa/from spelling rules
The English phrase "tough love" is translated into Spanish as mano dura.
The phrase mano dura refers to a strict approach to discipline or leadership used to force someone to behave or improve. You can express the action of exercising this kind of discipline by using the verb aplicar with the phrase, as in aplicar mano dura (to apply tough love / to enforce strict discipline). For a more colloquial way to describe giving someone a scolding or admonishment for their own good, you can use the expression tirón de orejas.
How do you pronounce it?
/mano duɾa/
Did you know?
- While mano dura describes strictness, the phrase mano izquierda refers to the ability to handle a difficult situation with diplomacy and tact.
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, mano dura has transitioned from a description of discipline into a powerful political slogan used by leaders to promise much stricter security and crime control.
- In some Spanish-speaking countries, the phrase mano dura is associated with the 'Mano Dura' policies of the 1990s, which shifted the focus of justice toward mass incarceration.
Examples in context
- A veces es necesario aplicar la mano dura.Sometimes it is necessary to use a strict approach.
- Ella cree en la mano dura para educar.She believes in tough love for education.
Example conversation
Sofía and Javier are discussing how to handle a rebellious teenager.
- SofíaJavier, creo que debemos ser más estrictos con él.Javier, I think we need to be stricter with him.
- JavierTienes razón, es hora de aplicar mano dura.You are right, it is time to use tough love.
- SofíaAsí aprenderá a respetar las reglas de casa.That way he will learn to respect the house rules.
- JavierExacto, no podemos seguir permitiendo todo.Exactly, we cannot keep allowing everything.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
