estalar no ar

English translation: Clicking their tongues in the air

15:49 Apr 26, 2020
Portuguese to English translations [PRO]
Art/Literary - Poetry & Literature
Portuguese term or phrase: estalar no ar
I'm not sure I understand the meaning of this verbal phrase in context: "Que amigos, amigos verdadeiros, ela leu em algum lugar e ainda se lembra, precisam apenas de proximidade, não de conteúdo ou confissões. Precisam é estalar a língua no ar, chegarem a um palmo do coração do outro mas não adentrarem." I don't even have a guess, I'm stumped. Also, on a side note, can anyone explain to me why it's "estalar" but also "chegarem"? Either estalar is the 3rd person singular of the personal infinitive, or it's the impersonal infinitive, but in that case, why would "chegarem" be the 3rd person plural of the personal infinitive? I'm guessing both refer to "amigos"? Thanks!
AJSComm
Local time: 06:18
English translation:Clicking their tongues in the air
Explanation:
Literally, it would mean something like "click the tongue in the air". For meaning, I would say that it means "talking without depth". The verb "estalar" is in infinitive because it is a locução verbal with the verb "Precisar", which is cojugated (precisam estalar). Another possible expression in Portuguese is "jogar conversa fora", but I can't think of a good translation for that.
Selected response from:

Marcos Cardoso
Brazil
Local time: 07:18
Grading comment
Thank you Marcos, your explanation makes perfect sense!
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
5 +1they need to chew the fat
Nick Taylor
4cultivate confidence
Hector Batista (X)
4Crackling of the tongue in the air
Rui Pedro
1Clicking their tongues in the air
Marcos Cardoso


Discussion entries: 4





  

Answers


21 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 1/5Answerer confidence 1/5
Clicking their tongues in the air


Explanation:
Literally, it would mean something like "click the tongue in the air". For meaning, I would say that it means "talking without depth". The verb "estalar" is in infinitive because it is a locução verbal with the verb "Precisar", which is cojugated (precisam estalar). Another possible expression in Portuguese is "jogar conversa fora", but I can't think of a good translation for that.

Marcos Cardoso
Brazil
Local time: 07:18
Works in field
Native speaker of: Portuguese
PRO pts in category: 4
Grading comment
Thank you Marcos, your explanation makes perfect sense!
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24 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5 peer agreement (net): +1
they need to chew the fat


Explanation:
they need to chew the fat

Nick Taylor
Local time: 10:18
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 98

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  airmailrpl
2 hrs
  -> Thanks air!
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1 hr   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
cultivate confidence


Explanation:
Literally, it means "snap your tongue in the air". I am brazilian and I have never heard this expression before, but in the context, it means be close to each other, talk about each one's weaknesses and cultivate confidence among friends. About the term "chegarem" I guess it is written wrongly, just as "adentrarem". The correct sentence would be "chegar a um palmo do coração do outro mas não adentrar".

Hector Batista (X)
Brazil
Local time: 07:18
Native speaker of: Native in PortuguesePortuguese
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4 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
Crackling of the tongue in the air


Explanation:
IMO the coma in this case is used to divide the sentence in to two different ideas

Rui Pedro
Portugal
Local time: 10:18
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in PortuguesePortuguese
PRO pts in category: 4
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