a cuestas (spanish) - meaning, definition, translation, pronunciation

Part of Speech

• Phrase (locución adverbial)

Phonetic Transcription

• /a ˈkwestas/

Translation Options into English

• "on one's back"
• "carrying"
• "to bear"

Meaning and Usage

The phrase "a cuestas" is commonly used in Spanish to indicate the act of carrying something on one's back or the burden of having to deal with something. It conveys both physical and metaphorical senses of carrying or bearing a responsibility or weight.

• Frequency of Use: This phrase is used frequently in both oral and written contexts, particularly in conversations or narratives that discuss responsibilities, burdens, or carrying items.

Example Sentences

1. Debo llevar esta caja a cuestas hasta el cuarto.

2. I must carry this box on my back to the room.

3. A veces, llevamos los problemas de otros a cuestas sin darnos cuenta.

4. Sometimes, we carry other people's problems without realizing it.

5. La montaña fue difícil, y nuestros amigos fueron a cuestas durante toda la subida.

6. The mountain was difficult, and our friends were carrying throughout the entire climb.

Idiomatic Expressions

The phrase "a cuestas" is often found in several idiomatic expressions that highlight the notion of carrying burdens or responsibilities.

1. Llevar algo a cuestas: Refers to carrying a physical object or responsibility.
2. Cargaba a cuestas el peso de sus decisiones.

3. He carried the weight of his decisions.

4. Tener a alguien a cuestas: To have someone as a burden or a responsibility.

5. No quiero tener a nadie a cuestas en este proyecto.

6. I don’t want to have anyone as a burden in this project.

7. Ir a cuestas de alguien: To rely on someone or to let someone bear your weight.

8. Siempre voy a cuestas de mi hermano cuando viajamos.

9. I always rely on my brother when we travel.

10. Quedarse a cuestas: To be left with responsibilities or burdens after someone else has gone.

11. Al final, me quedé a cuestas con todos los preparativos de la fiesta.

12. In the end, I was left with all the preparations for the party.

13. A cuestas de la vida: To bear the burdens or challenges of life.

14. Vivir a cuestas de la vida no es fácil, pero hay que seguir adelante.
15. Living with the burdens of life is not easy, but we must move forward.

Etymology

The expression "a cuestas" derives from the Spanish word "cuesta," meaning "slope" or "hill." The term relates to the idea of carrying something uphill, symbolizing a burden or responsibility one must manage. The evolution of language has solidified its usage as a metaphor for responsibility.

Synonyms and Antonyms

• Synonyms:
• A hombros (on shoulders)

• Cargar (to carry)

• Antonyms:

• Abandonar (to abandon)
• Desprenderse (to detach/release)

This comprehensive overview captures the meaning, usage, idiomatic expressions, and linguistic details of "a cuestas."