a la vida se le ocurre

English translation: Sometimes life plays games with

07:29 Apr 21, 2021
Spanish to English translations [PRO]
Poetry & Literature
Spanish term or phrase: a la vida se le ocurre
Buenos días,

Para no traducir literalmente y evitar la personificación (prosopopeya), ¿Qué otras posibilidades se os ocurren?

A veces a la vida se le ocurre jugar un poco con los mortales que pasean por sus senderos, para animar o agitar lo que seria un camino tranquilo.
Sometimes life happens to play with the mortals who walk its paths...(suena demasiado literal)

Me gustaría saber otros enfoques

Muchas gracias por adelantado
Antonio Berbel Garcia
Local time: 15:18
English translation:Sometimes life plays games with
Explanation:
the [hapless] mortals treading its paths, to liven things up or kick some action into what would otherwise be too peaceful a journey.

or:
plays tricks on

I realise these are all personifications but I don't see what's wrong with that. You could go with it even more and say something like:
Life gets a kick out of playing tricks on those who journey along, etc.
Selected response from:

Sophie Cherel
Spain
Local time: 14:18
Grading comment
Muchas gracias por vuestras ideas!!
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
3 +3Sometimes life plays games with
Sophie Cherel
3 +1life throws a curve ball at the
Marian Vieyra
3life turns out to be a bit of an experiment for mere mortals
Barbara Cochran, MFA


  

Answers


1 hr   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +3
Sometimes life plays games with


Explanation:
the [hapless] mortals treading its paths, to liven things up or kick some action into what would otherwise be too peaceful a journey.

or:
plays tricks on

I realise these are all personifications but I don't see what's wrong with that. You could go with it even more and say something like:
Life gets a kick out of playing tricks on those who journey along, etc.

Sophie Cherel
Spain
Local time: 14:18
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 16
Grading comment
Muchas gracias por vuestras ideas!!

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Marian Vieyra: Agree with plays tricks on ...
40 mins
  -> Thanks Marian!

agree  Manuel Aburto
3 hrs
  -> Gracias Manuel

agree  bcsantos
1 day 9 hrs
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

1 hr   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +1
life throws a curve ball at the


Explanation:
unfortunate mortals ...

I do think you need an adjective here to describe 'mortals'. I also like Sophie's 'hapless'.


    https://www.macmillandictionary.com/dictionary/british/throw-someone-a-curve-ball
    https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/throw-sb-a-curve-ball
Marian Vieyra
United Kingdom
Local time: 14:18
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 47

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Orkoyen (X): Good choice. Similar to throw for a loop.
10 hrs
  -> Thanks, Orkoyen.
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

4 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
life turns out to be a bit of an experiment for mere mortals


Explanation:
The idea that various challenges are sent our way during life, that we are being played around with by a greater power, and that it is up to us to make the right decisions that will lead to their successful resolution.

Barbara Cochran, MFA
United States
Local time: 10:18
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 103
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.

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:
Term search
  • All of ProZ.com
  • Term search
  • Jobs
  • Forums
  • Multiple search