This site uses cookies. Some of these cookies are essential to the operation of the site, while others help to improve your experience by providing insights into how the site is being used. For more information, please see the ProZ.com privacy policy.
Cookie settings
  1. KudoZ™ Top
  2. Spanish to English
  3. Poetry & Literature

contorneándose

English translation: swaying

05:54 Jan 21, 2017
Spanish to English translations [PRO]
Art/Literary - Poetry & Literature / Murder mystery novel
Spanish term or phrase: contorneándose
Good Evening Prozians,

I’m struggling with the translation of “contorneándose”

Sentence:
Él se fue acercando a mí, lento y contorneándose como un gato que va ronroneando hacia ti, elegante, sigiloso.

My Translation:
He slowly walked towards me and was lingering around like a cat that comes up to you purring while being dainty and sneaky at the same time.
Angelv04
United States
Local time: 13:09
English translation:swaying
Explanation:
I.e.: lento y contorneándose = "slowing/lazily swaying"...

Selected response from:

neilmac
Spain
Local time: 19:09
Grading comment
Thank you so much neilmac! I really appreciate your awesome answer!!
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
4 +1swaying
neilmac
3 +1swinging his hips
JohnMcDove
3circling me like a purring cat
Marian Vieyra
2circling
Wendy Streitparth
Summary of reference entries provided
"A halfwit in a leotard..."
neilmac

  

Answers


21 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +1
swinging his hips


Explanation:
I would think it is "contoneándose", without the "r"...

At any rate, that's how I understand it.

https://es.oxforddictionaries.com/translate/spanish-english/...

JohnMcDove
United States
Local time: 10:09
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in SpanishSpanish
PRO pts in category: 16

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Toni Castano: Moving like a cat (swaying???), I assume (and yes, it is "contonearse", not "contoRnearse").
4 hrs
  -> Tku, Toni. :-)
neutral  Carol Gullidge: agree re "contoneándose", but "swinging his hips" conjures up rather a comical image for this context
5 hrs
  -> Thank you, Carol. Yes, comical, ludicrous and absurd... mmm... Thank you for the input. :-)
neutral  neilmac: Agree with Carol. This whole project sounds like a Spruce Goose from beginning to end...
5 hrs
  -> Amen to that. Thank you for the input. :-)
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

6 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +1
swaying


Explanation:
I.e.: lento y contorneándose = "slowing/lazily swaying"...




    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wTgRg68wjko
neilmac
Spain
Local time: 19:09
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 155
Grading comment
Thank you so much neilmac! I really appreciate your awesome answer!!

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  JohnMcDove: Maybe.
5 hrs
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

6 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 2/5Answerer confidence 2/5
circling


Explanation:
He drew closer, slowly circling towards me like a cat...

Wendy Streitparth
Germany
Local time: 19:09
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 18
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

1 day 4 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
circling me like a purring cat


Explanation:
A suggstion.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 day4 hrs (2017-01-22 10:51:13 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

Sorry Wendy, I just noticed your answer. I got waylaid by the halfwit comment...


    Reference: http://pets.thenest.com/cat-circling-rubbing-up-against-you-...
Marian Vieyra
United Kingdom
Local time: 18:09
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 47
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)




Reference comments


6 hrs peer agreement (net): +2
Reference: "A halfwit in a leotard..."

Reference information:
Sorry, folks, but I couldn't help it! The query reminded me of this rather kitsch tune...


--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 6 hrs (2017-01-21 12:10:53 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

I.e.: lento y contorneándose = "slowing/lazily swaying"...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wTgRg68wjko

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 11 hrs (2017-01-21 17:46:17 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xeFyD-JYWD0

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 11 hrs (2017-01-21 17:47:23 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

BTW "Walk Like a Panther" is the kitschy one...


    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xeFyD-JYWD0
neilmac
Spain
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 155

Peer comments on this reference comment (and responses from the reference poster)
agree  Toni Castano: Nothing to be sorry about. Lovely, unforgettable song I hadn´t heard for years. Thanks :-)
33 mins
agree  JohnMcDove
5 hrs
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)



Login or register (free and only takes a few minutes) to participate in this question.

You will also have access to many other tools and opportunities designed for those who have language-related jobs (or are passionate about them). Participation is free and the site has a strict confidentiality policy.

Return to KudoZ list

KudoZ™ translation help

The KudoZ network provides a framework for translators and others to assist each other with translations or explanations of terms and short phrases.

See also:
ProZ.com term search
Search millions of term translations
Close search
Term search
  • All of ProZ.com
  • Term search
  • Jobs
  • Forums
  • Multiple search