During a new year, many of
us decide to try something new. With a new year’s resolution,
we resolve to do something we have not done in the past.
Sometimes new things are risk-free – like
eating healthier food or getting more exercise.
Sometimes we decide to learn a new skill, like a language or a musical
instrument. Again, these things are not risky, nor do they have bad
consequences. If you do not learn how to play the guitar, nothing
bad will happen, probably.
we resolve to do:
decidimos cumplir, acordamos hacer; risk-free: libres de riesgo;
healthier food: comida más saludable; a new skill: una nueva
habilidad; risky: arriesgadas, peligrosas; nor do they have: ni
tampoco tienen;
However, sometimes we need to shake up our lives and do
something different that does have consequences. That means there are
risks if things do not work out.
Such a change could involve moving to a new city, starting a new job, or ending
a relationship. These new things do have a level of risk. Things could
go wrong. On the other hand, things could go very right.
So, for these situations, we introduce two expressions that
encourage you to take a chance.
shake up our lives:
reorganizar, sacudir nuestras vidas; that does have: (does
funciona aquí como enfatizador) que sí tienen; do not work out: no
funcionan o no salen como esperábamos; could involve: podría implicar;
ending a relationship: terminar una relación amistosa o amorosa; could go
wrong: podrían salir mal; on the other hand: por otra parte; could
go very right: podrían salir muy bien; that encourage you: que te
animan; to take a chance: a aventurarte;
NOTHING VENTURED, NOTHING GAINED.
Quien nada arriesga, nada gana.
The first expression is "Nothing ventured, nothing gained". This means that without doing something risky or difficult, a bad situation will not improve. You could also sum it up this way: If you try something risky, you could fail. But if you do not try at all … you will surely fail. The word “venture” can be both a noun and a verb. As a verb, it means to proceed in a dangerous or risky plan. As a noun, it means an action that involves chance, risk, or danger.
sum it up this way: resumirlo de esta manera; you could fail: podrías fracasar; not try at all: no lo intentas para nada; you will surely fail: seguramente fracasarás; venture (verb): arriesgar/se (verbo); venture (noun): riesgo (sustantivo);
For example, starting a new restaurant is a risky business venture these days. And venturing into an unknown area could be dangerous.
risky business: negocio arriesgado; these days: hoy en día; an unknown area: un ambiente que desconoces; could be dangerous: podría ser peligroso;
FORTUNE FAVORS THE BOLD.
La fortuna favorece a los atrevidos.
Our second expression is "Fortune favors the bold". “Fortune” usually means wealth or fame. But it can also mean being in a good situation. And, if you are bold, you are brave. So, this expression means that people who are brave and take chances help themselves. Their bold, brave actions put them in a good place.
fortune: fortuna, riqueza, fama; bold: atrevido/a audaz; help themselves: se ayudan;
When using this expression, keep this in mind. The person who finds a fortune has done something to get it. It just doesn’t happen to them by chance. So, if someone happens to win a lot of money in a lottery, you wouldn’t use the expression "Fortune favors the bold".
keep this in mind: recuerda lo siguiente; by chance: por casualidad;
However, let’s say you quit your job and moved to a new city. That is a bold decision. But you are sure that it will be good for you. In the new city, you find your dream job. It might even pay more money than your old job. Here, you could definitely say, “Fortune favors the bold!”
however: sin embargo; you quit your job: renunciaste a tu trabajo; dream job: puesto de trabajo soñado; it might even: hasta podría suceder que;
And that's all the time we have for this "Words and Their Stories". For the start of 2023, I wish you and yours health and wealth. Until next time. I’m Anna Matteo.
I wish you and your: te deseo a ti y a los tuyos; health and wealth: salud y riquezas; until next time: hasta la próxima.
