pues

seems to be a catch all word, but I don't really get it.

Last one for a while guys, I promise!

 

pues = so, as, well, then...
if you write the complete phrase would be better!

 

sorry, didn't have a specific phrase for it. I just keep seeing and hearing it all the time in all kinds of different things, and wasn't sure what it meant or how to best use it.

 

Pues,is a word generally used for to help in the exact idea.When said:
Today will be in other side on the city in 5 minutes.Then anybody think:this gay is not OK.¿are you kidding? ¡ya,pues! or sure,you are doing a jocke.

 

There's simply no exact translation between the way peruvians use the darn word and the english language: it can reflect frustration with a proposition as in "5:30?... muy temprano puees" (Imagine cheech sayin' to chong: 5:30?.. too early maaaan) or "250 soles por una hora? no pueees... (the inflection in "pues" is lingering, long, depending on the level of disagreement or frustration). Or when OKying an agreement as in "150 soles por una hora?...Ya pues!... (the inflection is short and sharp, you're in agreement with the proposal).... It has multiple uses and it 0nly makes sense within a context. Let me know if I can be more specific for ya....

 

Here's another "context": You're haggling the price with a girl and you're in the weaker position, so you put your sweet puppy face and humbly and almost but not quite begging, say "Ya puees,...200 soles por 2 horas...Ya? (long inflection in "pues")as in C'mooon girl, be nice to me, I"m a little short here, 200 soles, two hours...Ok?...And: the inflection you put makes all the difference if you wanna be polite, assertive or rude... Now that I think of it,this little word is very useful....

 

so it doesn't really mean anything on it's own, it's sort of there to add emphasis to what you're already saying, whether negative or positive, or to emphasize agreement or disagreement. Would that be about right?

 

Yup

 

• Banner KT