Phrase · 🌸 Euphemism and tact
Esta semana ando un poco justa de tiempo.
I'm a bit pressed for time this week.
C2softening a refusalinformalAudio · coming soon
Why every word is where it is
Estadeterminerthiseste · fem. · sing.semananounweekfem. · sing.ando2verbI'm (lit. I walk)andar · present · 1st sing.undeterminerauno · masc. · sing. · indefinitepocoadverblittlejusta1adjectiveshort (lit. tight)justo · fem. · sing.de1prepositionoftiempo1nountimemasc. · sing..
- justa → tiempo: justo de tiempo: short of time
- ando → justa: andar + adjective = be (lately)
- Esta → semana: esta agrees with semana
Word for word: “This week I go a bit tight of time.”
Why it's built this way
The notes match the numbers above.
- 1justo/a de tiempo = short of time: a soft excuse, or a hint that a no is coming. Justa agrees with the (female) speaker. Advanced emphatic and exclamative structures →
- 2andar + adjective = to be (lately, for a while): ando cansada. Verbal periphrases III →
Variations
- Esta semana voy un poco justo de tiempo.
- Esta semana estoy corta de tiempo.
- Esta semana ando con poco tiempo.