Context
Telling a friend their new haircut doesn't suit them.
Mira, te lo digo con todo el cariño del mundo, pero...
'I say this with all the love in the world, but...' — the standard Spanish setup for uncomfortable honesty.
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sayingsSaying 6 of 25
I'm not being funny but
British preamble to something that is slightly rude, contentious, or brutally honest — softens the blow just enough to say it anyway.
Literal translation trap
'No estoy siendo gracioso pero' sounds like you're worried people think you're joking. Doesn't land.
Say it like this
Context
Pointing out that a colleague's plan won't work.
Oye, sin ánimo de ofender, pero...
'No offence intended, but...' — more formal but widely used.
Context
Saying something slightly controversial at a family dinner.
A ver, y esto que no salga de aquí, pero...
This stays between us, but... — adds conspiratorial flavour to the delivery.
Context
Telling a mate his girlfriend is trouble.
Te lo digo como amigo, ¿eh?
'I'm telling you as a friend' — the classic Spanish preamble before saying something they might not want to hear.
Context
Complaining about a situation at work.
No me malinterpretes, pero esto ya es demasiado.
Don't get me wrong, but this is too much — closer in structure to the English original.