Breakdown of Por lo visto, estas medidas no sirven para nada.
para
for / in order to (+ infinitive) / by (a deadline)
no
no / not
este
this (m.sg., also esta, estos, estas, esto)
nada
nothing / anything (in negative contexts)
Questions & Answers about Por lo visto, estas medidas no sirven para nada.
Why is "Por lo visto" used here instead of just saying "aparentemente"?
While aparentemente is correct, por lo visto is a highly common conversational set phrase in Spain. It literally translates to "by what is seen", using the neuter article lo to mean "that which is". It conveys the exact same meaning as "apparently" or "by the looks of it".
Why does the Spanish sentence use the verb "sirven" when the English translation says "are useless"?
In Spanish, to express that something is useful or useless, you typically use the verb servir (to serve) followed by para. The phrase no servir para nada is the most natural way to say something is "completely useless" or "good for nothing". You could literally say son inútiles, but the phrasing used here is much more idiomatic.
Is the double negative in "no sirven para nada" mandatory here?
Yes, Spanish requires this double negative structure. When a negative word like nada (nothing) comes after the verb, you must put no before the verb. It does not cancel out the negative like in English; instead, it completes the grammatical structure to mean "are not useful for anything".
Can medidas refer to both physical measurements and political actions in Spanish?
Yes, exactly like the English word "measures", medidas can refer to physical dimensions or to actions and policies taken to achieve a goal. In this context, it refers to actions or rules.