Raining money


'Raining money': Belgians urged to return stolen cash
 
Police are urging people from a small town in Belgium to return tens of thousands of euros in cash that were thrown out of a speeding car by thieves attempting to make a getaway.

The incident occurred in the Flemish town of Zedelgem after the thieves stole a safe from a nearby house.

The thieves threw the safe out the car to distract police officers. It broke open and passers-by grabbed 50-, 100- and 200-euro notes that were scattered.

The thieves are still on the run. 

'Raining money' 

One man said he had picked up two rolls of 5,000 euros only to have a police officer grab them back, reports the BBC's Matthew Price. 

Another said it was as if it was "raining money".

The local prosecutor says it was "self service" as passers-by filled their pockets with the scattered cash.

While some have returned the money, a considerable sum is yet to be recovered. 

 Anyone keeping the cash could face up to two years in jail, officials say.


 
 
After reading the text, translate the following words and expressions:
  
Vocabulary:

cercano/a -

una caja fuerte -

recoger -

coger (con fuerza) -

un ladrón / ladrones -

instar -

un transeúnte -

emprender la fuga -

la cárcel -

hasta -

yiendo / ir a gran velocidad -

dispersar -

un funcionario -

el fiscal -

afrontar -

en fuga -

  
Grammar:

Another said it was as if it was "raining money".

As if / though + subject + past tense  (present meaning)

We use the above form to indicate unreality, improbability or doubt.

She acts as if she was the boss. (but she isn't)

Compare:

They look as though they are rich.  (real possibility)

They dress as if they were rich. (but they aren't)

 
 


Comments

Anonymous said…
Patricia FCE:

cercano: nearby
caja fuerte: safe
recoger: return
coger con fuerza: Grabbed
ladron/ladrones: thief/thieves
instar: urge
transeunte: passers-by
emprender la fuga: make a getaway
carcel: prison/jail
hasta: Until
ir a gran velocidad:speeding
dispersar/ scatter
funcionario:civil servant
fiscal: public prosecutor
afrontar: face
fuga: escape.

:)




Anonymous said…
Hi Graham, here you are a new share. See you Wednesday
José Luis profesor

'Raining money': Belgians urged to return stolen cash

Police are urging people from a small town in Belgium to return tens of thousands of euros in cash that were thrown out of a speeding car by thieves attempting to make a getaway.

The incident occurred in the Flemish town of Zedelgem after the thieves stole a safe from a nearby house.

The thieves threw the safe out the car to distract police officers. It broke open and passers-by grabbed 50-, 100- and 200-euro notes that were scattered.
Source: BBC News


After reading the text, translate the following words and expressions:


Vocabulary:

cercano/a - nearby

una caja fuerte - safe

recoger – to pick up

coger (con fuerza) – to grab

un ladrón / ladrones – thief/thieves

instar – to urge

un transeúnte - passer

emprender la fuga – to take to flight

la cárcel - jail

hasta - till

yiendo / ir a gran velocidad -

dispersar – to scatter

un funcionario - official

el fiscal - fiscal

afrontar – to face

en fuga – in flight
Graham said…
Patricia / JL,

una caja fuerte - asafe

recoger – to pick up

coger (con fuerza) – to grab

- Rather than "con fuerza", perhaps I should have said take "quickly".
eg I just grabbed a sandwich for lunch
eg I was running late. I grabbed my bag and ran out the door.

un ladrón / ladrones – a thief/thieves

un transeúnte - a passer-by

emprender la fuga – to make a getaway

la cárcel - jail

hasta - till/until (true, but is it in the text?) up to = until the maximum possible

yiendo / ir a gran velocidad - to speed

un funcionario - an official

el fiscal - a prosecutor

en fuga – on the run



All the others are fine.