How to translate "driving directions?"

Question

The title says it all, basically.

My bilingual acquaintences just say "direcciones," but that seems to be a false cognate that I've always called it that, but I've not found much in the translation sites to support it as a proper translation.

Help!

(Democracy en español)

hola... tengo una pregunta para ti ¿Qué es 'Democracy en español'? - sinsonte, May 23, 2012

¡Hola! "Democracy en Español" es una frase que me invente para que sepan la buena gente que me ayudan que estan avanzando la democracia en los Estados Unidos. :) - ohblanca, May 23, 2012

¡Y que necesito una respuesta lo mas pronto posible! - ohblanca, May 23, 2012

? - sinsonte, May 23, 2012

Traduzco documentos documentos para el registro de votantes y las elecciones para personas que solamente hablan español. Es un chistesito. - ohblanca, May 23, 2012

I have not seen a book dedicated to that specific purpose. Maybe you might find useful a book like "Spanish for teachers". It might have some useful info for you. - Esteban3304, May 23, 2012

Answer 1

Nope, your acquaintances are correct. "direcciones" is the correct expression.

• Now if you want to ask for driving directions to a certain place, you could ask.
• ¿Me puede decir cómo llegar a...?, ¿Me puede indicar cómo llegar a...? or, "Deme direcciones de cómo llegar"
• If you want to translate ONLY the expression "driving directions" then it MUST be "direcciones" I.E. If you are writing a flier and one of the field says "Driving Directions" then in Spanish you SHOULD translate "Direcciones"
• Dirección = Direction, address, management, school's main office, way, and some other meanings. Context will dictate which one is the word that "dirección" is referring to.

Then why can't I find this in any translation sites or dictionaries? Usually, when I come across a word that native speakers use (in the U.S.), but is not in the dictionaries, it is because it's a false cognate. - ohblanca, May 23, 2012

Because there is no a dictionary that can translate everything another language has to offer. They are a tool, but not necesarily "the law". Again, "direcciones" is not just okay, it is correct/perfect! - farallon7, May 23, 2012

I think at this point I will use it, but do me a favor and look up "directions" in any Spanish dictionary. I get that not every word can be translated, but this is a pretty basic one that is in every one. It's frustrating. I just want to do this right! - ohblanca, May 24, 2012

I know the translation. Besides that, I grew up speaking Spanish, and I am a teacher. A dictionary will not tell you everything about a vast language. "direcciones" is the perfect way to spell "Driving directions" - farallon7, May 28, 2012

Answer 2

Dirección = address

Dirección

Added note:

address [?'dres] I nombre 1 (de casa, etc) dirección, señas: what's your address?, ¿cuál es tu dirección?

Unless you're asking something else... ?

Direcciones: I have found something you should see. Multiple natives have told you the answer... now see this

Direcciones

I need "driving directions." - ohblanca, May 23, 2012

Answer 3

According to Google translate, "driving directions" is:"indicaciones para viajar".

Yeah, I always check the translation engines before posting on here. But in this case, they conflict with my bilingual colleagues. - ohblanca, May 23, 2012

Yea, It really depends on the context, so the translators are often wrong. - JMoody, May 24, 2012

Answer 4

Dame las direcciones para entregarla a tu casa.

I agree with Farallon7 that direcciones is correct.