dar a... Is this how to use it?

Question

Dar a = to face / to look out upon

So, does it work this way?

Doy a Rub´en - I face Ruben

Mi apartamiento da al banco - my apartment faces the bank

Answer 1

Dar a = to face / to look out upon

That is correct, but without a context, those two English verbs have too many meanings, and your "Rubén" example makes no sense. This is how you use "dar a" (always with things):

My windows look out onto a wall.

My house faces the sea.

The door looks out upon a big tree.

It is best if you read the definition:

dar a

40. intr. Dicho de una cosa: Estar situada, mirar, hacia esta o la otra parte. La puerta da a la calle. La ventana da al norte.

Real Academia Española © Todos los derechos reservados

Your second example was right, though.

Mi apartamiento da al banco - my apartment faces the bank

muchas gracias laz... once again - dewclaw, Aug 25, 2011

"window looks out" or "windows look out". - NickDan, Aug 25, 2011

Indeed, NickDan. That funny pattern where nouns need the -s for the plural, but the verb drops the -s for the plural is a mistake I will always make every now and then. - lazarus1907, Aug 26, 2011

Answer 2

I have never heard dar used like that! Now I am curious, is it really used to say "to look out upon" without adding a verb that implys looking/watching or facing?

According to Using Dar

dar a lugar — to look over a place — La ventana da a la mar. The window overlooks the sea.

But even then its "dar a lugar" (give place to) Not just "dar a" So maybe that was what it was refering to?

I don't know, that's why I'm asking. I'm curious - dewclaw, Aug 25, 2011

no, that's another - dewclaw, Aug 25, 2011