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  3. General / Conversation / Greetings / Letters

al 500

English translation: Number 500 to 600

06:27 Mar 21, 2014
Spanish to English translations [PRO]
Social Sciences - General / Conversation / Greetings / Letters / Argentina
Spanish term or phrase: al 500
Hello. Please help me understand what "al 500" means in street directions in Argentina--specifically, Buenos Aires.

I'm translating an article from Spanish to US English. The author is a geneticist from Argentina.

The article consists mainly of case studies. In an interview, the subject, a woman, is telling about her attempts to find a family that might know something about her past. She describes the incomplete directions someone gave her:

Si yo bajaba del colectivo en la parada de tal calle ***al 500*** y caminaba derecho hasta la mitad de cuadra, iba a encontrarme con un pasillo. En alguna de las casas que daban a ese pasillo vivía Fulano.

My tentative translation is:

If I got off the bus at the 500 block of a certain street and walked straight to the middle of the block, I would find an alley.

Is this the right idea? If not, can anyone explain it to me and suggest a better translation into English? I'm not sure about "alley" for "pasillo," either.

Thanks in advance for any help you can give me.
JaneTranslates
Puerto Rico
Local time: 13:55
English translation:Number 500 to 600
Explanation:
Al 500 means in xxx street number 500 to 600, but you say al 500 when you do not know exactly which number. Normally each block will go. From number 500 to 600, then 600 to 700, and so on. Here is a picture for you to understand.



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Note added at 16 minutos (2014-03-21 06:44:15 GMT)
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For me alley is ok here. Good luck!
Selected response from:

Judith Armele
Mexico
Local time: 11:55
Grading comment
Thank you again, Judith. Even though I can't use the wording you provided, your explanation and the street-sign picture you sent made the meaning clear. I'm going to use "the 500 block," which is how I've always heard people describe the block with house numbers between 500 and 599. Oh, and thanks for approving of "alley"! I need that confirmation.
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
5 +2Number 500 to 600
Judith Armele
4 +1at the five hundreds of street xxx
Susie Rawson
4near number 500
Mario Freitas


Discussion entries: 2





  

Answers


13 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5 peer agreement (net): +2
Number 500 to 600


Explanation:
Al 500 means in xxx street number 500 to 600, but you say al 500 when you do not know exactly which number. Normally each block will go. From number 500 to 600, then 600 to 700, and so on. Here is a picture for you to understand.



--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 16 minutos (2014-03-21 06:44:15 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

For me alley is ok here. Good luck!


    Reference: http://static.flickr.com/108/264220549_7b2ee814e2.jpg
Judith Armele
Mexico
Local time: 11:55
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in SpanishSpanish
PRO pts in category: 16
Grading comment
Thank you again, Judith. Even though I can't use the wording you provided, your explanation and the street-sign picture you sent made the meaning clear. I'm going to use "the 500 block," which is how I've always heard people describe the block with house numbers between 500 and 599. Oh, and thanks for approving of "alley"! I need that confirmation.

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Sergio Kot
1 hr
neutral  Susie Rawson: it's a very good and clear explanation, but I wouldn't use it just like this within the translated text
6 hrs
  -> Yes Susie, I am not sure either if it would be clear in English without the explanation. There is a twist that is stlill missing.
neutral  philgoddard: Agree with Susie.
6 hrs
agree  acetran: clear, but can't be used in the translation.
8 hrs
  -> I agree. Thanks, harshsi
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

6 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +1
at the five hundreds of street xxx


Explanation:
my suggestion

Susie Rawson
Argentina
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in SpanishSpanish
PRO pts in category: 8
Notes to answerer
Asker: Thanks for giving me another option, Susie. All of you are confirming that I was interpreting the text correctly, and that's the most important part. I appreciate your help.


Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Judith Armele: I like your suggestion.
34 mins
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

8 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
near number 500


Explanation:
Suggestion

Mario Freitas
Brazil
Local time: 14:55
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 8
Notes to answerer
Asker: Thanks for your time and your suggestion. Have a great weekend!

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