Phrase · 🌸 Euphemism and tact
La sopa está un pelín sosa, ¿no?
The soup's a tiny bit bland, isn't it?
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Why every word is where it is
Ladeterminertheel · fem. · sing. · definitesopanounsoupfem. · sing.está2verbisestar · present · 3rd sing.un1determinerauno · masc. · sing. · indefinitepelín1nountiny bit (lit. little hair)masc. · sing.sosa2adjectiveblandsoso · fem. · sing.,¿no3adverbisn't it (lit. no)?
- un → pelín: un pelín: a tiny bit
- sosa → sopa: sosa agrees with sopa
- está → sosa: estar + adjective: how it tastes now
Word for word: “The soup is a little hair bland, no?”
Why it's built this way
The notes match the numbers above.
- 1un pelín (Spain) = a tiny bit (lit. a little hair): it shrinks the criticism. Latin America: un poquito, tantito (Mexico). Word formation: diminutives, augmentatives, prefixes and -mente →
- 2soso/a = bland, lacking salt; also said of a dull person. Estar for how the food tastes now. Ser vs estar I: characteristics and states →
- 3The tag ¿no? invites agreement and softens the statement.
Variations
- La sopa está un poquito sosa, ¿no?
- A la sopa le falta un pelín de sal, ¿no?
- La sopa está algo sosa, ¿no crees?