to be "done to"

Spanish translation: ser la víctima

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)

English term or phrase:	to be "done to"
Spanish translation:	ser la víctima
Entered by:	Marta Cervera Areny

15:55 Jul 10, 2008

English to Spanish translations [PRO]
General / Conversation / Greetings / Letters

English term or phrase: to be "done to"

A nurse is describing the feelings of a teenage mental health patient and says:

"Her feelings of powerlessness, being 'done to', are well evident and could have had a negative impact on her ability do develop informed and working alliances with the care staff."

What does "being 'done to'" mean exactly? Any ideas how to translate it?

Thanks for your help in advance!

Marta Cervera Areny KudoZ activity Questions: 7 (none open) (1 closed without grading) Answers: 114 Spain
Local time: 03:56

ser la víctima

Explanation:
Must be a better way to say this in Spanish, but another way in English would be "her feelings of powerlessness and of being the victim..."

It means that she always has things "done to" her and she is never "doing" things herself. She is helpless and powerless to be an active force in her own life...she is a victim of the "doers."

That´s how I read it!

Selected response from:

Erin DeBell
United States
Local time: 21:56

Grading comment

You were faster!
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer

Summary of answers provided

3 +3

ser la víctima

Erin DeBell

ser victima

Sara Senft

Discussion entries: 1

Answers

5 mins confidence:

peer agreement (net): +3

ser la víctima

Erin DeBell
United States
Local time: 21:56
Specializes in field
Native speaker of:

English
PRO pts in category: 8

Grading comment

You were faster!

Notes to answerer

Asker: This is very possible, as she was also a victim of police violence before being sent to a mental health unit... Thanks for your help!!!

6 mins confidence:

ser victima

Explanation:
In this case, the paitent feels like a victim. Sometimes, people ask "Why did you do this to me?" When they feel like a victim of wrongdoing.

Example sentence(s):

El sentido de ser victima

Sara Senft
United States
Local time: 21:56
Specializes in field
Native speaker of:

English

Notes to answerer

Asker: Same answer as I gave to Kirendall. Thanks for your help!!

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