Giving directions on street
Can someone be kind enough to tell me how to say "3 streets down" and "turn left" in Spanish? I noticed in the translator on this site that the word for street is very similiar to the word for "be quiet" - and I'd really hate to tell someone "go 3 streets down and shut up." lol. Is the word for street "calle" and plural "calles?" Thanks so much for any help.
5 Answers
"3 streets down" - "tres calles más abajo"
"turn left" - "doble a la izquierda" or "agarre a la izquierda".
You are correct that "street" and "shut up" are similar, but "street" has 2 syllables (ca-lle) and "shut up" has 3 syllables (ca-lla-te). Don't worry about telling someone to shut up by mistake! Take your time when you say the word and it will be fine!
you would say "tres calles para allá"
It´s interesting that this thread has been given life after almost 2 1/2 years but since it´s here again, we should note there are various regionalisms for many phrases, but "3 streets down" - "tres calles más abajo" sounds very strange unless you are on a steep hill and the directions indicate going down the hill. In Mexico at least, it is "tres calles para allá" or "derecho por tres calles."
Another way to say turn left, is to say: - Gire a la izquierda (polite/formal way) used to address strangers/older people
- Gira a la izquierda = turn left/to the left. You would use this form with friends. family children, young people or people you know well
gire is from the verb, girar = to turn and is being used in the imperative (or command form) of the verb.
This command form is the most commonly used way to give directions and instructions in Spanish and despite being called the command form is not considered rude/disrespectful by Spanish speaking natives!
If you wanted to say; Take the next street on the left/right you could say; Toma (o coja in Spain) la próxima calle a la izquierda/derecha.
I hope this helps 
You turn right
