"abrir paso" or "dar paso" or "hacer paso"

Question

Hello every one,

In english we would say ,, please make way for the senior citizens, or give way to the car please. NOW the choice may depend on the context.

Similarly in Spanish also I have noticed various ways of saying "make way" as follows : 1. Abrir paso. 2. Dar paso. 3. Hacer paso. 4. Hacer camino.

I often get confused between these and wish to seek some advice from the veterans in this community as to which one to be used in what context. I would really appreciate any help I could get on this please.

Thanks.

Or -" Give way to the elderly gentleman " or " The senior person" I can assure you my dear fiend that both of those are more acceptable to those of us with advancing years. - ray76, Mar 21, 2014

A very good thread and most informative. - ray76, Mar 21, 2014

@ ray...I think you meant friend? :P - actorgirl, Mar 21, 2014

@ray .. yes my friend ,, I have changed it to avoid any misunderstanding .. check it now :) - 00b055e0, Mar 21, 2014

Thanks Jimmy , but here we would probably shout . " Watch out for the wrincklies ". or watch out for the mongrel in the car. - ray76, Mar 22, 2014

Answer 1

Abrir paso = hacer paso = dar paso =hacer camino = make way

ceder el paso = yield

dar paso = it also means "to start"

marcar el paso = mark the pace

:-D

Edit:

Nobody is going to comment about that "mark the pace"?

lol

gracias amigo - 00b055e0, Mar 21, 2014

Please read the edit..... - chileno, Mar 21, 2014

Answer 2

We don't say: Give way to the car. If we're on foot we would be run down regardless: The only hope would be to shout

Quickly, get out of the way of that car! or ' Step back!'

You can also use please: ' Hounds please!' at the meet of the hunt means the riders and the foot followers have to make way for the hounds.

Therefore I suggest : ' Elderly gentlemen, please!' as the pack of elderly gentlemen is released out of the tourist bus.

Oh dear! :-) - Castor77, Mar 21, 2014

Great answer , well done . - ray76, Mar 22, 2014

@Annie : I am not talking about giving way to a car rushing on the free way.. I am talking about a situation where one could be in a parking lot and the car is slowiy trying to enter the parking area and the parking attendant my say "please give way" - 00b055e0, Mar 22, 2014

Yes: Just like you give way for hounds. - annierats, Mar 22, 2014

Please stand back' is the obvious one. - annierats, Mar 22, 2014