Estan haciendo obras en la calle

Question

In this sentence does obras mean work or works, or does "obra" and "obras" both just mean work. Also can "obras" be used to mean workers in a different situation.

Answer 1

Yes. Obras means construction or repair work on the street.

Obra -- a masterpiece (obra maestra), a theater piece (obra de teatro), work or production (la obra de Picasso, de Neruda, etc.)

Obras -- alone it almost always means public works (El Ministerio de Obras Públicas or The Department of Public Works). However, depending on the context it could be a collection of literally works, paintings, etc.

I think of obra as any fixed piece of work, ie. having a beginning and end. For example putting plumbing in a house or building a bridge, etc. - gringojrf, Dec 20, 2012

Estás en lo cierto, amigo. - francobollo, Dec 20, 2012

Answer 2

I think it is "They are doing work (projects/construction) in the street.

By the way the people doing the work are obreros/as.

Good answer, good answer (we should go for the $20K on Family Feud!) lol - francobollo, Dec 20, 2012