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"Jalón" is a noun which is often translated as "marker pole", and "jalonar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to mark". Learn more about the difference between "jalón" and "jalonar" below.
el jalón(
hah
-
lohn
)A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
a. marker pole
El jalón indica que estamos a 2,355 kilómetros de la capital.The marker pole shows that we're 2,355 kilometers away from the capital.
2. (topography)
a. ranging rod
El contratista usó el jalón para medir la distancia entre las aceras.The contractor used the ranging rod to measure the distance between the sidewalks.
b. surveying rod
El arquitecto les ordenó a los obreros que midieran el terreno con el jalón.The architect ordered the workers to measure the land with a surveying rod.
3. (figurative) (significant event)
A phrase used as a figure of speech or a word that is symbolic in meaning; metaphorical (e.g., carrot, bean).
a. landmark (figurative)
A phrase used as a figure of speech or a word that is symbolic in meaning; metaphorical (e.g., carrot, bean).
Ganar un Óscar fue un jalón en mi vida, pero lo que realmente me hace feliz es hacer reír a la gente.Winning an Oscar was a landmark in my life, but what truly makes me happy is making people laugh.
b. milestone (figurative)
A phrase used as a figure of speech or a word that is symbolic in meaning; metaphorical (e.g., carrot, bean).
Tocar en la ópera nacional fue un jalón en la carrera del violinista.Playing in the national opera was a milestone in the violinist's career.
4. (haul) (Latin America)
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
5. (colloquial) (boyfriend)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
a. sweetheart
¡Escuché que el jalón de Alicia le propuso casamiento!I heard that Alicia's sweetheart proposed to her!
6. (colloquial) (drink) (El Salvador) (Honduras) (Mexico)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in El Salvador
Regionalism used in Honduras
Regionalism used in Mexico
a. swig (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Si bebo otro jalón de ginebra, voy a vomitar.If I have another swig of gin, I'll puke.
7. (space between two things) (Dominican Republic) (Mexico)
Regionalism used in the Dominican Republic
Regionalism used in Mexico
a. distance
¿Podemos ir caminando al hospital? - De aquí, es un buen jalón. Está a aproximadamente ocho kilómetros.Can we walk to the hospital? - It's a fair distance from here, about eight kilometers away.
b. fair way
Hasta tu casa hay un buen jalón. Voy a ir en coche.It's a fair way to your house. I'll take my car.
jalonar(
hah
-
loh
-
nahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. to mark
Son numerosos los hitos que jalonan la carrera de esta brillante investigadora.Numerous landmarks mark the career of this brilliant researcher.
a. to mark out
Un grupo de voluntarios ha estado jalonando senderos en el parque.A group of volunteers have been marking out trails around the park.
b. to stake out
Los constructores jalonaron el terreno donde se edificaría el rascacielos.The constructors staked out the plot of land where the skyscraper would be built.
