How would one say "Idling" like "you left your truck idling on the street"?

Question

I'm trying to figure out a word to describe idling as it would refer to a vehicle. For example, "you cannot let your truck idle in this truck stop." I don't think any of the definitions we have on here already really fits for that kind of sentence.

Answer 1

El motor encendido o andando.

More colloquially, el motor prendido.

That is in Colombiañol...

In short it looks as people don't say idling in this context in Spanish, rather just talk about the engine being on...

yes, it does seem to vary from place to place. For me I immediately thought it could be something 'dejar ....." - margaretbl, Dec 28, 2010

Answer 2

Welcome to the Forum Vicks. It might be different depending where the people are from. There are a few options: 'un coche con el motor moderando' is one but it could also be 'marchar en vacío'. Not sure if 'abandonado' works Alma?

Answer 3

In Spain, it would be said as: 'dejar el coche con el motor encendido' or 'con el motor en marcha'.

'al ralentí' is also correct, but it's not used much in everyday speech. It's a more technical term ('ralentí' would be the equivalent of 'idle speed', the minimum number of revolutions of the engine when you don't press the accelerator).

The sentence you put as an example could be then: 'No se puede dejar el camión con el motor en marcha en esta estación de servicio para camiones'

Edit: if you refer to 'idle on the street' as unattended, or parked indefinitely, then you would simply say 'dejar', 'dejar aparcado': 'No se puede dejar el vehículo en la calle'

Answer 4

It is the dictionary under idle.

No, if he cant find the definition in our dictionary he asks! Why should he be sent to another forum ???? - 00494d19, Dec 28, 2010

Answer 5

When searching on wordreference, I found that 'lying idle' was translated to 'abandonado'.

idle2 verbo intransitivo (be lazy) holgazanear, haraganear, flojear (fam) (Auto) [engine] andar(conj.?) or marchar al ralentí

Answer 6

Idle means to do nothing when refereing to a person. John is Idle. A car remains idle, when the engine is running but it is not moving or you can say ticking over. I don´t think there is such a word as idling.

interesting, I thought it might also mean to stand there...just that, thanks pretty - 00494d19, Dec 28, 2010

Answer 7

Thanks everybody. I guess there isn't a one word form of "idle". I'll just have to use a combination of everything you all suggested.

Answer 8

Or maybe you simply want to say the truck can't be left there , just sort of "sleeping" there?