Ramon Somoza Oct 17, 2014:

Yes, "fresh" is also an option Yes, I agree that "fresh" could be also used instead of "cool". I also concur that "frescura" is unlikely to be used for the beer itself, and I have never heard it in that context. People tend to say "la cerveza está fría". "La cerveza está fresca" sounds odd in Castilian Spanish", as "frescura" is used mainly to indicate that a product as such (e.g., fish) is fresh and would therefore not apply to beer - it is impossible to know when the beer was brewed.

BTW, I personally would not be able to distinguish one brand of beer from the other, but I know quite a few people con actually can...

Charles Davis Oct 17, 2014:

About the ad I would be interested to know whether it was a TV ad or just an poster-style image. I assume the former.

I think the word "frescura" is one that Spaniards are unlikely to apply to the beer itself (in terms of what it's like to drink); it's much more likely to refer to the image of the beer as conveyed in the ad. Beer ads in Spain don't dwell much on the flavour. Of course they show people drinking the stuff with pleasure. But they stress above all the idea that the people who drink this particular brand are young, fun, lively and having a great time: the kind of people you'd like to be and know. And a bit unconventional.

I don't think I could tell the leading brands apart on a blind tasting, but there's a lot of brand loyalty. Any self-respecting "progre" in the 80s, at the time of the movida in Madrid, always drank Mahou. It was a tribal thing; it signalled your allegiance.

I think most people are very used to seeing ads and are quite savvy about them. I find it implausible that if they were asked for an opinion on an ad they'd take it as a question about the product.

But in the end "fresh" is probably best. It might suggest cheeky, a bit unconventional, as I say.

GP Translations (asker) Oct 17, 2014:

it's fresh? Thanks, Ramon! I like your justification! Several people answered this way so it was no accident. Maybe the best translation (that would match the question well) in English is "it's fresh" - meaning both original and attractive (cool).

Ramon Somoza Oct 17, 2014:

Also, regarding the text.... The asker is stating "people were asked what they liked about an AD for a beer." So we therefore must assume that the response is about the ad, not about the beer itself! (Unless, of course, you assume that the respondents did not read the question properly or were simply stupid.)

Ramon Somoza Oct 17, 2014:

Sorry to disagree, but... You can perfectly state: "La frescura del anuncio", not just "El anuncio es fresco". Actually, the first one is the most likely statement in Spain, the second would seem a little bit odd.

Jaime Oriard Oct 17, 2014:

that it [the beer image] looks refreshing "What did you like most about the ad?"
[That the beer image looks] refreshing
This is what I understand from the Spanish text, considering your context.
If they were describing the ad itself, they would have said "fresco", not "frescura".

Henry Hinds Oct 17, 2014:

Beer I think they're talking about the beer. People don't care much about ads, but they can like the product. I cannot see how the word "frescura" could possibly apply to the ad; it has to apply to the beer.

GP Translations (asker) Oct 17, 2014:

In English, if I read: "What did you like most about the ad?" "Refreshing" I would understand this as a native speaker as meaning "original", given the question. It makes more sense to describe the beer as that. Maybe the people who answered didn't understand the question!

GP Translations (asker) Oct 17, 2014:

It's Spanish from Spain btw. The people were just general members of the public.

GP Translations (asker) Oct 17, 2014:

It's impossible for the client to know because it's a market research survey. Just to clarify, the question asked was: What did you particularly like about the ad for ....?

Carol Gullidge Oct 17, 2014:

you're right! I forgot that bit. Although there'd probably still be no harm in asking what their interpretation would be

philgoddard Oct 17, 2014:

They can't ask for clarification - it's a respondent in a market research survey.

Carol Gullidge Oct 17, 2014:

Just explain to the client Why you find it ambiguous and ask for clarification. Marketing texts are never meant to be simple!

Danik 2014 Oct 17, 2014:

I suppose they mean that the beer must be cool.

neilmac Oct 17, 2014:

It means all of those things. Originality and cool (a cool beer on a hot day)... freshness too, if you like.

Carol Gullidge Oct 17, 2014:

I think You'll have to ask the client exactly what they mean as there is no obvious answer and any error could end up making everyone look silly