Thread: also need help with this POR FAVOR !

This sentence, as far as I know, is incorrect.
It could be:
1. me debo a mi posición - o mi sitio
2. tengo que estar en mi sitio

as for the translation, I can make a try, but I'm not of English origin, so...

1. I owe myself to my (social) position - or to my place
2. I must stay at my place

I hope this helps, but the original sentence is nonsense to me. It might have some regional connotation that I don't grasp.

I had someone tell me she thought it might mean: " I need to give myself some space".

Think this is possible?

The sentence in Spanish is correct, and used by many a girl. It basically means that it is up to her to make him treat her with the respect she deserves. That she is the one who must set the bar high regarding with how much respect he treats her. The "mi lugar" refers to her rightful place on the social ladder, hence "deserving" of a certain treatment or a certain type of boyfriend. It has NOTHING to do with "space".
Saludos and hope it helps!

I think you're analyzing it too much, and I think it's much less complicated than it seems... I believe she does mean she needs space...

Sorry if it sounds like overanalysis, I was just trying to get a point across. Actually, its a much-used expression. An example of usage might be better: Let's say the girl is waiting at home for her date to pick her up. He pulls up, honks his horn and waits in the car for her. She looks out the window, sees its him, but doesn't head out the door. She turns to her sister and says: "Que se baje a tocar la puerta... tengo que darme mi lugar".
In other words, the bar has been set.
Saludos

The bar has been set

Great! New expression for me. But I didn't know the Spanish expression either. So it does refer to the social (ladder) position (option 1)

Originally Posted by MED123

I had someone tell me she thought it might mean: " I need to give myself some space".

Think this is possible?

100% true! It's a metaphore by which she claims time and space to think about.

Siento mucho discrepar contigo, pero no puedo estar de acuerdo en que sea una metáfora. Si quisiera espacio, diría: "Necesito espacio". La chica quiere darse su lugar. Si una mujer no se da su lugar en una relación, bailan el jarabe tapatío arriba de tí. En el ejemplo que puse anteriormente, si ella sale de su casa al momento que el chico llega en su auto y toca el claxon, ¿sabes cuándo se va a bajar y tocar a la puerta como Dios manda? NUNCA. ¿Por qué? Porque ella no se dio su lugar. Si la mujer no se da su lugar, nadie se lo dará.
Saludos

Vicky T.

exactly, it's not to "need to give oneself space", but to "stand up for one's rights" (claim to be given the place one deserves).
The translation you're looking for is: I need to stand up for myself (or for my rights).

Hope it helps!