"parcialmente a oscuras"

Question

Hi everybody. I think this one is for native speakers. I know I could translate this as "partially in the dark" but my question is, could this be an idiom meaning "partially confused/not knowing"? It's just a guess, does it exist as an idiom.

In English I can say "I'm completely in the dark about that" meaning "I haven't got a clue"

The context is in this sentence

...parcialmente a oscuras, caótica en sus comunicaciones, conflictiva, cuestionada, insegura ante su futuro.

Any help deeply appreciated.

Answer 1

It's a pessimistic description of Barcelona, thanks. - Birdland

HI birdy, this was essential info

Under the circumstances they are talking about the lack of light in that city. Madrid for example is a much lighter city due to the night life illumination everywhere.

Aha! So that's what it is, how about "lack of illumination"? - lagartijaverde, Nov 15, 2010

No, not clear enough but I'll come up with a good phrase, thanks Heidi. - lagartijaverde, Nov 15, 2010

No doubt because you are busy "burning your candle at both ends" - samdie, Nov 15, 2010

Answer 2

Now that I know what we are talking of, maybe poorly illuminated (city) would work

sounds good city is not well lit - margaretbl, Nov 15, 2010

Answer 3

I would usually say ´estoy medio a oscuras con respecto a...´

I would use another expression such as ¨estoy medio en b...s con lo que hay que estudiar para el examen´´, but is too informal for the Forum rules

who is the subject of that sentence?

It's a pessimistic description of Barcelona, thanks. - lagartijaverde, Nov 15, 2010

ahhh, that´s so different!! at first I thought you were talking about a person - mediterrunio, Nov 15, 2010

Answer 4

I guess you could interpret it in that way (being cut off, not knowing what's going on for example) but I don't think I've seen it used very often as an idiom in Spanish.

Sounds good. I'll wait to see if a native speaker has a take on it. Thanks - lagartijaverde, Nov 15, 2010

Actually I'm a native speaker.. but again, I haven't seen it used very often in that way. Certainly not as frequently as in English. - bill1111, Nov 15, 2010

Answer 5

Entre sombras, between the shadows.

Algo turbulento, turbio, en penumbra, no demasiado claro, borroso, vago.

Good stuff! - lagartijaverde, Nov 15, 2010