tener mucha cara (spanish) - meaning, definition, translation, pronunciation
Part of Speech
The expression "tener mucha cara" is a verb phrase.
Phonetic Transcription
/teˈneɾ ˈmu.t͡ʃa ˈka.ɾa/
Translation Options into English
"to be very cheeky"
"to have a lot of nerve"
"to be very bold"
Meaning and Usage
"Tener mucha cara" is an idiomatic expression in Spanish used to describe someone who is exceptionally bold or audacious, often to the point of being shameless. This phrase implies that the person is acting without regard for social norms or the opinions of others, especially in situations where they are being disrespectful or presumptuous. It is frequently used in both oral and written contexts, notably in conversations addressing someone's lack of shame.
Example Sentences
¿No te da vergüenza pedirle dinero nuevamente? Tienes mucha cara.
"Aren't you ashamed to ask him for money again? You have a lot of nerve."
Ella siempre llega tarde a todas partes, tiene mucha cara al hacerlo y nunca se disculpa.
"She always arrives late everywhere; she is very cheeky doing so and never apologizes."
Idiomatic Expressions
The phrase "tener mucha cara" is often involved in other expressions in Spanish culture:
Tener cara de pocos amigos
"To have a face that suggests you're unfriendly or unapproachable."
Sentence:Juan tiene cara de pocos amigos cuando no está de buen humor.
"Juan looks unfriendly when he's not in a good mood."
Tener cara dura
"To be shameless."
Sentence:Ese vendedor tiene cara dura, siempre intenta engañar a los clientes.
"That salesman has a lot of nerve; he always tries to deceive customers."
Tener cara para todo
"To have the face for anything."
Sentence:Esa política tiene cara para todo, siempre promete cosas que no puede cumplir.
"That politician has the nerve for everything; she always promises things she can't fulfill."
No tener cara
"To not have the face," implying the opposite, describing someone who is shy or lacks boldness.
Sentence:Él no tiene cara para ir a esa reunión tan importante.
"He doesn’t have the nerve to go to such an important meeting."
Etymology
The expression "tener mucha cara" derives from the noun "cara," which means "face." In this context, it relates to the metaphorical idea of having a "face" to do or say something without shame. The word "cara" itself comes from Latin "faciam," which means "to make, to do," reflecting the notion of one's appearance or demeanor.
Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms:
Tener mucha desfachatez
Tener mucho atrevimiento
Antonyms:
Ser tímido
Ser respetuoso
This comprehensive analysis of "tener mucha cara" should provide a robust understanding of its meaning, usage, and contextual nuances in the Spanish language.