Jul 6, 2016 22:35
7 yrs ago
4 viewers *
Spanish term

lo que es igual no es trampa

Spanish to English Other Idioms / Maxims / Sayings Literature
I need to translate the saying "Lo que es igual no es trampa" into English
I am translating a fiction novel-
The paragraph reads: LUCE HORRIBLE QUE PAUE JUSTOS POR LOCURAS DE UN GLOTON LOCO, PERO LO QUE ES IGUAL NO ES TRAMPA, SOBREVIVIR ES LEY Y PARA CUMPLIR A DIARIO"

Thank you in advance for your help

Proposed translations

1 hr

two wrongs (do) make a right

If I understand "lo que es igual no es trampa" correctly, it means that it is okay for you to do something that may not be morally right if someone else has behaved similarly towards you. If that is the case, I think this could be a suitable translation.
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1 hr

no level playing field, no fairness

if the same chances are not granted to all, some will have an unfair edge

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Note added at 1 hr (2016-07-07 00:33:41 GMT)
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Por ejemplo, si hay una competencia a todos se les deben dar las mismas instrucciones, si no, alguno tiene ventaja sobre los demás, y eso es hacer trampa.

“Lo que es igual no es trampa.” es la forma contraria de decir lo mismo. Si a todos se les dan las mismas oportunidades no hay forma de decir que se hizo trampa.
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17 hrs
Spanish term (edited): Lo que es igual no es trampa.

Two can play at this game.

I agree with the understanding of the term expressed here. I would only say that the "goose/gander" expression is rather dated and quaint these days, and that "Two can play at this game" would be more likely to be used.
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Reference comments

45 mins
Reference:

Refs.

Not 100% sure, but here are a few links to suggest that it may be "What is good for the goose, is good for the gander". It appears to be more used in Venezuela, and other countries may have other variations.

Chávez momificado o el espectáculo de la orfandad latinoamericana
soc.culture.venezuela.narkive.com/.../chavez-momificado-o-el-espe...
Mar 7, 2013 - What's good for the goose is good for the gander. En Castellano: Lo que es igual no es trampa. Si Sarah Palin forzo a sus hijos en el juego ...

http://www.proz.com/kudoz/english_to_spanish/idioms_maxims_s...
There are other ways in Spanish too of saying it. However, this may appear contradictory in English (?), but


Chávez momificado o el espectáculo de la orfandad latinoamericana ...
https://groups.google.com/d/topic/soc.culture.../8z3GrM6nzFY
Mar 8, 2013 - What's good for the goose is good for the gander. En Castellano: Lo que es igual no es trampa. Si Sarah Palin forzo a sus hijos en el juego ...
Note from asker:
Thank you so much Taña for the explanation!, very helpfull
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5 hrs
Reference:

lo que igual no es trampa

Un ejemplo de su uso:

Si yo tuve una cita con una amiga y mi esposa se entera, luego encuentro a mi esposa haciendo lo mismo con una persona y le reclamo tal acción. Ella me responde: lo que es igual no es trampa, es decir, que no puedo reclamar si ya he hecho lo mismo que ella está haciendo. Una opción en inglés que calza, es la que Taña ha propuesto: What is good for the goose is good for the gander, aunque hay una respuesta anterior en el glosario que usa la misma expresión del gander teniendo como solución: Lo que bueno para el pavo es bueno para la pava. Conociendo bien la situación es posible que el término "lo que es igual no es trampa" podría coincidir con ambas soluciones.
Note from asker:
Thank you!, great explanation! I' ll use it
Peer comments on this reference comment:

neutral Francois Boye : There are many anecdotal explanations of the same expression on the web. The point is which is right.
1 day 8 hrs
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11 hrs
Reference:

Ref:

I would say: What is sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander.

said to emphasize that if one person is allowed to do something or to behave in a particular way, then another person must be allowed to do that thing or behave in that way, too

http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/what-s-sa...
Note from asker:
Thank you so much Jane- that's exactly I was looking for!
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