Glossary entry (derived from question below)
Spanish term or phrase:
Madrid me mata
English translation:
Madrid rocks!
Added to glossary by
Juan Jacob
Jul 21, 2006 09:09
18 yrs ago
Spanish term
Switzerland
Madrid me mata
Non-PRO
Spanish to English
Marketing
Tourism & Travel
I know that the generally accepted translation of this phrase is "Madrid kills me" but I'm hoping for some other appropriate suggestions or just confirmation that this is such a famous catch phrase that I have to leave it as that and stop worrying.
The context is a brochure on traveling to Madrid, staying in a 4 start hotel etc. This is the header used before describing the package.
Thank you in advance and I should mention the rest of the text is French to English except this isolated phrase.
The context is a brochure on traveling to Madrid, staying in a 4 start hotel etc. This is the header used before describing the package.
Thank you in advance and I should mention the rest of the text is French to English except this isolated phrase.
Proposed translations
(English)
Proposed translations
+1
5 hrs
Juan Jacob
Mexico
Mexico
Native in Spanish
Mexico
Literatura, historia, subtitulaje
Native in: Spanish (Variants: Latin American, Mexican) 
, French (Variants: Standard-France, Belgian)
Works in: French to Spanish, Spanish to French, French, and 5 more.
Selected
Madrid rocks!
No sé, siempre me cuesta traducir "to rock" al español, y "me mata" me gusta, así que lo propongo al revés, a ver si gusta.
Suerte.
Suerte.
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "Thank you everyone for all the helpful suggestions and answers. I wish I could split points here! However, Merci et gracias Juan Jacob - this is exactly what I needed for my context - either leaving it in Spanish or this type of translation.
Again, thanks to all!"
5 mins
Terence Ajbro
Sweden
Sweden
Native in English
Sweden
A multilingual Englishman
Native in: English
Works in: English to German, English to Danish, Danish to English, and 7 more.
Related KudoZ points
:
8
Madrid, this town will be the death of me
Just a suggestion
+1
5 mins
Madrid me mata
Yes, it is a slogan. As your translation is from French to English, leave it in Spanish for the sake of "local colour" and add a footnote if you like.
Peer comment(s):
| neutral |
Y. Peraza
: Es un eslogan? Yo no lo habia oido nunca... Y mira que he ido veces a MadriZZZ
2 mins
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Key it into Google. It was first used in the '80s referring to the movida. BTW, I live in Madrid
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| agree |
Ricardo Torres
: Yes, I agree, it was very famous in the 80s. See this link: http://www.calendarlive.com/movies/chocano/cl-et-education10... they use the "Madrid Kills Me" translation.
7 hrs
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Thanks. But this translation is from French to English. That's why I'd leave in in the original.
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+1
7 mins
?????
To me (and I am a Spaniard), Madrid me mata sounds like Madrid is too much for me, I hate it. I really don't understand the sentence in that context. But maybe what they mean it exactly the opposite, Madrid is SO exciting. Anyway, I don't think this is a famous catch phrase...
Note from asker:
| Thanks Yaiza, that's my problem with it in this context as well...I think they do mean - I'm exhausted because its SO exciting but it sounds a bit like negative advertising for the city. Especially because there is nothing in the text that follows to explain the phrase. |
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Maria-Jose Pastor
: I am Madrilena and this also sounds to me like I detest it, but as an ad slogan it obvously means the opposite, or the ad exec is wothless
17 hrs
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23 mins
Nikki Graham
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
Native in English
Specializes in field
United Kingdom
Related KudoZ points
:
60
thoughts
I can't see why they would use the phrase unless they talk about the night life... I lived in Madrid for 8 years, and I don't remember hearing this phrase. I doubt very much whether your average English-speaking person would undrstand it if you left it in Spanish and I can't see the point of a footnote in an advert. So how about saying something like "surviving in Madrid" (although from what you've said already, that probably wouldn't fit the text) or "on the go in Madrid" if it is about activities you can do or simply "staying in Madrid" if that's all the text is about.
44 mins
Cinnamon Nolan
Spain
Spain
Native in English
Works in field
Spain
Quality- Professionalism - Experience
Native in: English (Variants: US, US South, UK, British)
Works in: Spanish to English
Related KudoZ points
:
28
Madrid's a scream
"That just kills/slays me" would be the standard translation of the phrase. But I agree with you and the others who say that it just doesn't fit the context of publicity material for a 4-star hotel!
Another option: Madrid's simply superb.
The idea being, at the height of excellence (old-fashioned, the bee's knees, cat's pyjamas ... whatever is "in" these days.)
Another option: Madrid's simply superb.
The idea being, at the height of excellence (old-fashioned, the bee's knees, cat's pyjamas ... whatever is "in" these days.)
3 hrs
Marina Lara Petersen
Native in Spanish
Works in field
High-quality. Excellent turnarounds.
Native in: Spanish 
Works in: English to Spanish, French to Spanish, German to Spanish, and 5 more.
Madrid is so exciting, is so amazing, is superb
Yo lo entiendo así. Para mí la frase "Madrid me mata" quiere decir que Madrid es espectacular, que es lo mejor.
Suerte!
Suerte!
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