Help with "Loitering"
I have to translate the phrase "No Loitering" for a sign to be posted within a newly built public plaza and am having trouble with the word "loitering" itself. The closest I can come to it is the word: Vagar. Would it be clear and proper to say " No Vagar" ? I'd appreciate your thoughts
3 Answers
Ok. Then what you need is: "Prohibida la vagancia en grupo" ("Time Wasting groups are not allowed here"). Or you could be more specific and set a sign like those usual around kid's pools: "In this area is not allowed: To listen to loud music, Pest the neighbours with hign volume laughter and conversations, Playing Musical Instruments, To Shout, To waste time in idle groups, etc." (If you like the long list approach, set it up, and I can help with the spanish version)
Thank you Carlos. My concern is that that it is actually fine for people who are not doing anything wrong to stay and use the plaza. There are tables and seats designed to be welcoming and encourage conversation, games, enjoying a sandwich - but this area used to attract people who were drinking or worse - we're trying to discourage that when we open the new plaza. I'm trying to send what is perhaps a more suble message which the word "loitering" seems to capture well in English. Your translations are helpful, but can you help refine the message a bit'
I would use: "Prohibido Permanecer en las Areas Comunes" ("Staying around at the common areas is prohibited") or "Esta no es un área de esparcimiento" ("This is NOT a Recreational area"). I know they are long but spanish has that tendency... ...as in "Hasta luego, te veré más tarde" en vez de "bye, see ya later!"
