lugar o aqui

Question

Please, I need help with translating, why use lugar in this? es éste un lugar seguro? and then translate in english-Is it safe here? why not say- Is this a safe place? please could someone talk a little about translating spanish into english. carlyj

Good question! =) - NikkiLR, Mar 22, 2012

Answer 1

I agree with babs_irish.

Remember, you should try to translate ideas, not words. =)

Answer 2

I think that beginners in any foreign language realize that "translation" is not just a matter of replacing foreign words with English ones. What you need to do is figure out the central meaning of a phrase or sentence and then express that in the other language.

With this in mind "Is this a safe place?" holds the same meaning as "Is it safe here?". "¿Es éste un lugar seguro?" and "¿Es seguro aquí?" hold equivalent meanings.

Better than "¿Es seguro aquí?", I would say: "¿Se está seguro aquí?" :) - Cordobesa, Mar 23, 2012

Thanks! - Noetol, Mar 24, 2012

Answer 3

"Is this a safe place?" would be perfectly fine. Perhaps, in context, "Is it safe here?" would make more sense or would fit better with the tone of what you're reading.

Answer 4

Lugar can also be translated to neighborhood