SHEER NUMBERS - Meaning in Spanish (or in English)
What does it mean "Sheer numbers"?

I have 2 possible translations:

- Sheer as symply, just... So the translation could be "los números en sí". Or "la cifra pelada" (because of shear = esquilar, podar...).

- Sheer as HUGE, BIG, ENORMOUS... numbers.

Both are correct??

I have this sentence: "Just the sheer numbers of injured people there were quite frightening".

Thanks!

Esther

Question

SHEER NUMBERS - Meaning in Spanish (or in English)
What does it mean "Sheer numbers"?

I have 2 possible translations:

- Sheer as symply, just... So the translation could be "los números en sí". Or "la cifra pelada" (because of shear = esquilar, podar...).

- Sheer as HUGE, BIG, ENORMOUS... numbers.

Both are correct??

I have this sentence: "Just the sheer numbers of injured people there were quite frightening".

Thanks!

Esther

Answer

"Just the sheer numbers of injured people there were quite frightening".= "Just the HUGE numbers of injured people there were quite frightening".

Answer

En mi opinión, solo la primera opción es correcta en inglés... He consultado algunos diccionarios y solamente aparece la primera, no creo que se pueda usar con otro significado la palabra ''sheer''... Esprero que te haya ayudado mi respuesta :)

Answer

Muchísimas gracias, Hristina!

Así pues, entiendo que ambas son posibles, pero en este contexto la primera es la correcta, verdad?

Un fuerte abrazo desde mi mesa de estudio! 
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Thanks a lot, Hristina!
So, according to your words, both translations for "Sheer numbers" are possibles, though in the given case, only the first one is good. Am i right?

Cheers and a big hug from my study desk! :-)

Answer

In this particular sentence it means 'the number alone', which is closer to the first translation you mentioned. :)

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