Bedeutung
To be a problem or situation that never seems to resolve or finish.
Kultureller Hintergrund
In Spain, this phrase is often used to describe 'las obras del Escorial' or any public infrastructure project that seems to take decades. Argentines might use 'una historia interminable' to talk about the country's economic cycles and inflation, reflecting a sense of 'déjà vu'. In Mexico, it's frequently applied to the 'trámites' (paperwork) required for almost anything official, often with a touch of 'humor negro'. The phrase is often used to describe the long-running 'telenovelas' (soap operas) that can have hundreds of episodes, though usually in a joking way.
Use with 'Parecer'
If you want to sound slightly less aggressive, use 'parece una historia interminable'. It adds a layer of subjective opinion.
Gender Agreement
Don't say 'un historia'. Even though 'h' is silent, 'historia' is feminine. Use 'una'.
Bedeutung
To be a problem or situation that never seems to resolve or finish.
Use with 'Parecer'
If you want to sound slightly less aggressive, use 'parece una historia interminable'. It adds a layer of subjective opinion.
Gender Agreement
Don't say 'un historia'. Even though 'h' is silent, 'historia' is feminine. Use 'una'.
The 'Vuelva Usted Mañana' connection
If you really want to impress a Spaniard, mention that a bureaucratic delay is 'una historia interminable digna de Larra'.
Teste dich selbst
Completa la frase con la forma correcta del verbo 'ser' y el artículo.
Las obras del metro ________ ________ historia interminable.
'Obras' is plural, so we use 'son'. 'Historia' is feminine, so we use 'una'.
¿En qué situación es más apropiado usar esta frase?
Selecciona la opción correcta:
The phrase is used for frustrating, long processes.
Completa el diálogo con la opción más natural.
A: ¿Todavía no has arreglado el coche? B: No, el mecánico dice que ahora falla el motor. ________.
The context of a car repair that keeps failing is perfect for this idiom.
Empareja la frase con su significado figurado.
Frase: 'Nuestras discusiones son una historia interminable'.
It implies a repetitive, unresolved conflict.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Long vs. Interminable
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenLas obras del metro ________ ________ historia interminable.
'Obras' is plural, so we use 'son'. 'Historia' is feminine, so we use 'una'.
Selecciona la opción correcta:
The phrase is used for frustrating, long processes.
A: ¿Todavía no has arreglado el coche? B: No, el mecánico dice que ahora falla el motor. ________.
The context of a car repair that keeps failing is perfect for this idiom.
Frase: 'Nuestras discusiones son una historia interminable'.
It implies a repetitive, unresolved conflict.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenNot really. For a person, we say 'ser un pesado' or 'no callar ni debajo del agua'. 'Historia interminable' is for situations or processes.
Yes, if you are describing a challenge you overcame. 'El proyecto era una historia interminable, pero logré finalizarlo'. It shows you can handle long-term stress.
Usually 'una historia interminable'. You only use 'la' if you are referring specifically to the book or movie title.
99% of the time, yes. It implies that the length is a problem. If a story is long but good, we just say 'es una saga' or 'es muy completa'.
'El cuento de nunca acabar' is more about repetition (doing the same thing over and over). 'Historia interminable' is more about a long, complex process that doesn't end.
Yes. 'Mis vacaciones fueron una serie de historias interminables con los vuelos'.
Yes, because the movie and book were global hits. It's understood from Spain to Argentina.
It's neutral. You can use it in a newspaper or with your friends.
Yes, it's a synonym, but 'interminable' is more common in Spain.
Break it down: in-ter-mi-NA-ble. The 'ble' at the end is like 'table' in English but with a Spanish 'e'.
Verwandte Redewendungen
El cuento de nunca acabar
synonymThe story of never ending.
No tener fin
similarTo have no end.
Ser un pozo sin fondo
specialized formTo be a bottomless pit.
Llover sobre mojado
similarTo rain on what is already wet.
