The other shark(Refers to a second shark, different from one previously mentioned [ðə ˈəðər ʃɑrk]) had been in and out(Indicates that the shark had been moving back and forth, sometimes present and sometimes absent [hæd bɪn ɪn ənd aʊt]) and now came in again(The shark returned to the scene [ənd naʊ keɪm ɪn əˈgɛn]) with his jaws wide(The shark's mouth was open broadly, ready to bite [wɪθ hɪz ʤɔz waɪd]). The old man(Refers to the main character, an elderly man [ðə oʊld mæn]) could see(Was able to observe [kʊd si]) pieces of the meat of the fish(Fragments of the fish's flesh [ˈpisɪz əv ðə mit əv ðə fɪʃ]) spilling white(The meat was light in color and falling out [ˈspɪlɪŋ waɪt]) from the corner of his jaws(Escaping from the side of the shark's mouth [frəm ðə ˈkɔrnər əv hɪz ʤɔz]) as he bumped the fish(While the shark collided with the fish [ɛz hi bəmpt ðə fɪʃ]) and closed his jaws(The shark bit down on the fish [ənd kloʊzd hɪz ʤɔz]). He swung at him(The old man attempted to hit the shark [hi swəŋ æt ɪm]) and hit only the head(The strike landed solely on the shark's head [ənd hɪt ˈoʊnli ðə hɛd]) and the shark looked at him(The shark turned its gaze towards the old man [ənd ðə ʃɑrk lʊkt æt ɪm]) and wrenched the meat loose(The shark forcefully tore the flesh away [ənd rɛnʧt ðə mit lus]). The old man(Refers to the main character, an elderly man [ðə oʊld mæn]) swung the club down on him again(The old man brought the club down forcefully on the shark once more [swəŋ ðə kləb daʊn ɔn ɪm əˈgɛn]) as he slipped away to swallow(While the shark moved aside to ingest the meat [ɛz hi slɪpt əˈweɪ tɪ sˈwɔloʊ]) and hit only the heavy solid rubberiness(The strike landed only on something that felt dense, firm, and like rubber [ənd hɪt ˈoʊnli ðə ˈhɛvi ˈsɑləd rubberiness]).
''Come on, galano(An encouragement or challenge, 'galano' is a term of endearment or respect [kəm ɔn galano]),'' the old man(Refers to the main character, an elderly man [ðə oʊld mæn]) said(Spoke [sɛd]). ''Come in again.''
The shark(Refers to the shark [ðə ʃɑrk]) came in a rush(Approached quickly and aggressively [keɪm ɪn ə rəʃ]) and the old man(Refers to the main character, an elderly man [ənd ðə oʊld mæn]) hit him(Struck the shark [hɪt ɪm]) as he shut his jaws(While the shark was closing its mouth [ɛz hi ʃət hɪz ʤɔz]). He hit him solidly(The strike was firm and impactful [hi hɪt ɪm ˈsɑlədli]) and from as high up as he could raise the club(He swung the club from the highest point he could manage [ənd frəm ɛz haɪ əp ɛz hi kʊd reɪz ðə kləb]). This time(On this occasion [ðɪs taɪm]) he felt the bone at the base of the brain(He could feel the shark's skull near its brain [hi fɛlt ðə boʊn æt ðə beɪs əv ðə breɪn]) and he hit him again in the same place(He struck the shark again in the same location [ənd hi hɪt ɪm əˈgɛn ɪn ðə seɪm pleɪs]) while the shark(During the time that the shark [waɪl ðə ʃɑrk]) tore the meat loose sluggishly(Slowly and weakly ripped the flesh away [tɔr ðə mit lus sˈləgɪʃli]) and slid down from the fish(Slipped off the fish [ənd slɪd daʊn frəm ðə fɪʃ]).
The(Definite article, referring to a specific old man [ðə]) old(Advanced in years; having lived for a long time [oʊld]) man(An adult male human [mæn]) watched(Looked at attentively for a period of time [wɔʧt]) for(In anticipation of [fər]) him(A male person previously mentioned [ɪm]) to come(To arrive or appear [tɪ kəm]) again(Once more; another time [əˈgɛn]) but(A conjunction used to introduce a statement that contrasts with or contradicts something already said [bət]) neither(Not one or the other of two people or things [ˈniðər]) shark(A type of fish, often a predator [ʃɑrk]) showed(Appeared; became visible [ʃoʊd]). Then(After that; next [ðɛn]) he(Referring to the old man [hi]) saw(Perceived with the eyes [sɔ]) one(A single shark [wən]) on the surface(At the top of the water [ɔn ðə ˈsərfəs]) swimming(Propelling oneself through water [sˈwɪmɪŋ]) in circles(Moving in a circular path [ɪn ˈsərkəlz]). He(Referring to the old man [hi]) did not see(Was unable to see [dɪd nɑt si]) the fin(A flat appendage on a fish used for balance and propulsion [ðə fɪn]) of the other(Belonging to the other shark [əv ðə ˈəðər]).
I(The speaker; the old man [aɪ]) could not expect(Did not anticipate or believe it possible [kʊd nɑt ɪkˈspɛkt]) to kill(To cause the death of [tɪ kɪl]) them(Referring to the sharks [ðɛm]), he(The old man [hi]) thought(Reflected; considered [θɔt]). I(The speaker; the old man [aɪ]) could have(Would have been able to [kʊd hæv]) in my time(During my prime; when I was younger and stronger [ɪn maɪ taɪm]). But(A conjunction introducing a contrasting statement [bət]) I(The speaker; the old man [aɪ]) have hurt(Have caused injury to [hæv hərt]) them(Referring to the sharks [ðɛm]) both(The two sharks [boʊθ]) badly(Severely; to a great extent [ˈbædli]) and(A conjunction connecting two related statements [ənd]) neither one(Not either of the two [ˈniðər wən]) can feel(Is able to experience [kən fil]) very good(Pleasant or comfortable [ˈvɛri gʊd]). If(A conditional conjunction [ɪf]) I(The speaker; the old man [aɪ]) could have used(Would have been able to use [kʊd hæv juzd]) a bat(A wooden club used for striking [ə bæt]) with two hands(Using both hands for greater force [wɪθ tu hænz]) I(The speaker; the old man [aɪ]) could have killed(Would have been able to kill [kʊd hæv kɪld]) the first one(The first shark encountered [ðə fərst wən]) surely(Without a doubt; certainly [ˈʃʊrli]). Even now(Even at this present time [ˈivɪn naʊ]), he(The old man [hi]) thought(Reflected; considered [θɔt]).
He(Referring to the old man [hi]) did not want(Did not desire [dɪd nɑt wɔnt]) to look(To direct one's gaze [tɪ lʊk]) at the fish(At the marlin [æt ðə fɪʃ]). He(Referring to the old man [hi]) knew(Was aware; understood [nu]) that(Introducing a clause [ðət]) half of him(Half of the fish's body [hæf əv ɪm]) had been destroyed(Had been ruined or consumed [hæd bɪn dɪˈstrɔɪd]). The sun(The star that provides light and heat to Earth [ðə sən]) had gone down(Had set below the horizon [hæd gɔn daʊn]) while(During the time that [waɪl]) he(Referring to the old man [hi]) had been(Was in the process of [hæd bɪn]) in the fight(Engaged in combat [ɪn ðə faɪt]) with the sharks(Against the sharks [wɪθ ðə ʃɑrks]).
''It(Quotation marks indicating the start of dialogue, followed by 'It', referring to the approaching night [ɪt]) will be(Future tense auxiliary verb indicating something that is going to happen [wɪl bi]) dark(Absence of light [dɑrk]) soon(In a short time; quickly, followed by quotation marks indicating the end of the sentence [sun]),'' he(The subject of the sentence, referring to a male person [hi]) said(Past tense of the verb 'to say', indicating that he spoke the words, followed by a period to end the sentence [sɛd]). ''Then(Quotation marks indicating the start of a new sentence, followed by 'Then', indicating a sequence of events [ðɛn]) I(The subject of the sentence, referring to the speaker [aɪ]) should(Expressing a conditional or expected outcome [ʃʊd]) see(To perceive with the eyes [si]) the glow(A steady radiance of light [ðə gloʊ]) of(Expressing the relationship between 'glow' and 'Havana' [əv]) Havana(The capital city of Cuba, followed by an ellipsis indicating a pause or continuation of thought [həˈvænə]).. If(Introducing a conditional clause [ɪf]) I(The subject of the sentence, referring to the speaker [aɪ]) am(Present tense of the verb 'to be' [æm]) too(Excessively or also [tu]) far(A great distance [fɑr]) to(Indicating direction [tɪ]) the(Definite article [ðə]) eastward(Toward the east [ˈistwərd]) I(The subject of the sentence, referring to the speaker [aɪ]) will(Future tense auxiliary verb indicating a future action [wɪl]) see(To perceive with the eyes [si]) the(Definite article [ðə]) lights(Sources of illumination [laɪts]) of(Expressing the relationship between 'lights' and 'one of the new beaches' [əv]) one(A single unit or individual of a group [wən]) of(Indicating belonging or association [əv]) the(Definite article [ðə]) new(Recently made, discovered, or developed [nu]) beaches(Stretches of sand or pebbles along a shore, followed by quotation marks indicating the end of the sentence [ˈbiʧɪz]).''
I(The speaker or narrator [aɪ]) cannot(Contraction of 'can not', indicating inability [ˈkænɑt]) be(To exist or occur [bi]) too(Excessively [tu]) far(Distant [fɑr]) out(Away from the shore or land [aʊt]) now(At the present time, followed by a comma indicating a pause [naʊ]), he(The subject of the sentence, referring to a male person [hi]) thought(Past tense of the verb 'to think', indicating an internal thought, followed by a period to end the sentence [θɔt]). I(The speaker or narrator [aɪ]) hope(A feeling of expectation and desire [hoʊp]) no(Not any [noʊ]) one(A person [wən]) has(Present perfect tense auxiliary verb [həz]) been(Past participle of 'be' [bɪn]) too(Excessively [tu]) worried(Feeling or showing anxiety and concern, followed by a period to end the sentence [ˈwərid]). There(Used to indicate the existence or presence of something [ðɛr]) is(Present tense of the verb 'to be' [ɪz]) only(Solely or exclusively [ˈoʊnli]) the(Definite article [ðə]) boy(A young male person [bɔɪ]) to(Indicating purpose or direction [tɪ]) worry(Feel or show anxiety and concern about actual or potential problems, followed by a comma indicating a pause [ˈwəri]), of(Expressing the relationship between 'worry' and 'course' [əv]) course(As might be expected; naturally, followed by a period to end the sentence [kɔrs]). But(Introducing a statement that contrasts with or seems to contradict something that has been said previously [bət]) I(The speaker or narrator [aɪ]) am(Present tense of the verb 'to be' [æm]) sure(Confident in one's knowledge or belief [ʃʊr]) he(Referring to the boy [hi]) would(Expressing a conditional or possible action [wʊd]) have(To possess [hæv]) confidence(The feeling or belief that one can rely on someone or something; firm trust, followed by a period to end the sentence [ˈkɑnfədɛns]). Many(A large number of [ˈmɛni]) of(Indicating belonging or association [əv]) the(Definite article [ðə]) older(Having lived for a relatively long time [ˈoʊldər]) fishermen(People who catch fish for a living or for sport [ˈfɪʃərmɪn]) will(Expressing a future intention or event [wɪl]) worry(Feel or show anxiety and concern about actual or potential problems, followed by a period to end the sentence [ˈwəri]). Many(A large number of [ˈmɛni]) others(Other people [ˈəðərz]) too(In addition; also, followed by a comma indicating a pause [tu]), he(The subject of the sentence, referring to a male person [hi]) thought(Past tense of the verb 'to think', indicating an internal thought, followed by a period to end the sentence [θɔt]). I(The speaker or narrator [aɪ]) live(To have one's home in a particular place [lɪv]) in(Expressing location or position [ɪn]) a(Indefinite article [ə]) good(To be desired or approved of [gʊd]) town(An urban area that has a name, defined boundaries, and local government, followed by a period to end the sentence [taʊn]).
He(The subject of the sentence, referring to a male person [hi]) could(Past tense of 'can', indicating ability or possibility in the past [kʊd]) not(Expressing negation [nɑt]) talk(To speak [tɔk]) to(Expressing direction or purpose [tɪ]) the(Definite article [ðə]) fish(A cold-blooded aquatic animal [fɪʃ]) anymore(No longer; not any more [ˌɛniˈmɔr]) because(For the reason that [bɪˈkəz]) the(Definite article [ðə]) fish(A cold-blooded aquatic animal [fɪʃ]) had(Past perfect tense auxiliary verb [hæd]) been(Past participle of 'be' [bɪn]) ruined(Damaged severely or irreparably [ruɪnd]) too(Also or excessively [tu]) badly(In a severe or harmful way, followed by a period to end the sentence [ˈbædli]). Then(At that time; next [ðɛn]) something(An unspecified or indefinite thing [ˈsəmθɪŋ]) came(Past tense of 'come', meaning to move or travel towards a place [keɪm]) into(Expressing movement or action with the result that someone or something becomes enclosed or surrounded by something else [ˈɪntu]) his(Belonging to him [hɪz]) head(The part of the body above the neck where the brain is, followed by a period to end the sentence [hɛd]).
''Half fish(Referring to the fish being only half there, implying it has been partially eaten or damaged [hæf fɪʃ]),'' he said(Indicates that the following words are spoken by a male character [hi sɛd]). ''Fish that you were(Acknowledging the fish's past existence and identity [fɪʃ ðət ju wər]). I am sorry(Expressing regret or remorse [aɪ æm ˈsɑri]) that I went too far out(Apologizing for venturing too far into the sea [ðət aɪ wɛnt tu fɑr aʊt]). I ruined us both(Expressing the belief that his actions led to the downfall of himself and the fish [aɪ ruɪnd ˈjuˈɛs boʊθ]). But we have killed many sharks(Acknowledging their shared history of killing sharks [bət wi hæv kɪld ˈmɛni ʃɑrks]), you and I(Emphasizing the partnership between the speaker and the fish [ju ənd aɪ]), and ruined many others(Acknowledging the negative impact they had on other creatures [ənd ruɪnd ˈmɛni ˈəðərz]). How many did you ever kill, old fish(Questioning the fish about its past kills, showing respect and familiarity [haʊ ˈmɛni dɪd ju ˈɛvər kɪl oʊld fɪʃ])? You do not have that spear on your head for nothing(Implying that the fish's injury or feature is a result of its past actions and experiences [ju du nɑt hæv ðət spɪr ɔn jʊr hɛd fər ˈnəθɪŋ]).''