entre dientes
/entɾe djentes/from spelling rules
The English phrase "under your breath" is translated into Spanish as entre dientes.
The phrase entre dientes is used to describe speaking in a way that is muffled or quiet, often implying that the speaker is muttering something potentially rude or private.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase entre dientes literally translates to "between teeth".
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase entre dientes is an adverbial idiom and does not change its form based on the subject or the person speaking.
Did you know?
- The act of speaking entre dientes is often paired with the verb mascullar, which literally means to chew. This frames the act of muttering not as a breathy sound, but as if the speaker is physically chewing their words.
- The phrase entre dientes is often used in Spanish literature to signal a character's hidden anger or a secret plot, acting as a narrative cue for 'muttering' a threat.
- The word entre shares the same Proto-Indo-European root, *h₁enter, as the English word 'between'. This root also traveled through Latin to become the basis for 'international'.
Examples in context
- Durante la reunión, Juan hablaba entre dientes sobre el desacuerdo con la propuesta.During the meeting, Juan spoke under his breath about his disagreement with the proposal.
- La maestra murmuró en voz baja sobre el comportamiento de los estudiantes.The teacher muttered under her breath about the students' behavior.
- El chico dijo entre dientes lo mucho que extrañaba a su novia.The boy said under his breath how much he missed his girlfriend.
- Ana susurró por lo bajo unas palabras de agradecimiento.Ana muttered under her breath some words of gratitude.
- Lo dijo entre dientes para que nadie lo oyera.He said it under his breath so that no one would hear him.
- Él dijo algo entre dientes.He said something under his breath.
- No te oigo si hablas entre dientes.I can't hear you if you speak under your breath.
- Ella murmuró una queja entre dientes.She muttered a complaint under her breath.
Example conversation
Daniel and Elena are waiting in a long line.
- DanielEstás diciendo algo entre dientes, Daniel.You are saying something under your breath, Daniel.
- ElenaSolo digo que esta fila no avanza.I'm just saying that this line isn't moving.
- DanielNo seas impaciente, Elena te ve.Don't be impatient, Elena sees you.
- ElenaEstá bien, guardaré silencio ahora.Alright, I'll be quiet now.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries entre, CC BY-SA 4.0.
