Feb 9, 2017 17:36
7 yrs ago
Spanish term
20yrs experience. Style & fluidity.
Native in: English 
Works in: Spanish to English, German to English
dar hierro
Spanish to English
Other
Agriculture
(Germán Hernández Rodríguez “Estadísticas de las Islas Canarias”.
1793 – 1806 de Francisco Escolar y Serrano).
Estas tierras se suelen enriquecer con la siembra de legumbres o con el tradicional abonado de estiércol.
Es fundamental la labor de las yuntas de bueyes y de vacas para “dar hierro”, para asurcar, tirar de piedras y otras labores propias de las bestias
1793 – 1806 de Francisco Escolar y Serrano).
Estas tierras se suelen enriquecer con la siembra de legumbres o con el tradicional abonado de estiércol.
Es fundamental la labor de las yuntas de bueyes y de vacas para “dar hierro”, para asurcar, tirar de piedras y otras labores propias de las bestias
Proposed translations
(English)
| 3 | do the donkey work |
neilmac
|
Proposed translations
27 mins
Selected
do the donkey work
I assume it's an idiom.
Add¡ng iron to soil is necessary in citrus crops, for example, but the usage here makes me think it's just a set phrase in this case.
FWIW, the link below defines "dar hierro" as a synonym of "serruchar" (to saw).
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Note added at 28 mins (2017-02-09 18:04:27 GMT)
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do the donkey work = breaking the soil, tilling furrows, removing stones, etc...
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Note added at 2 hrs (2017-02-09 20:24:41 GMT)
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So, "hierro" would be the plough metaphor (metonymy), but I can't think of an equivalent with "iron" in English.
Add¡ng iron to soil is necessary in citrus crops, for example, but the usage here makes me think it's just a set phrase in this case.
FWIW, the link below defines "dar hierro" as a synonym of "serruchar" (to saw).
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 28 mins (2017-02-09 18:04:27 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
do the donkey work = breaking the soil, tilling furrows, removing stones, etc...
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 2 hrs (2017-02-09 20:24:41 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
So, "hierro" would be the plough metaphor (metonymy), but I can't think of an equivalent with "iron" in English.
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "Thanks a million ... I went with heavy work because I didn't want to say the oxen did the donkey work ... but your answer helped me on my way :-)"
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