luz de posición lateral
/luθ de posiθjon lateɾal/from spelling rules
The English phrase "side marker" is translated into Spanish as luz de posición lateral.
This phrase refers to a small light on the side of a vehicle that indicates its width and position to other drivers.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase luz de posición lateral is composed of luz (light), de posición (of position) and lateral (side/lateral).
Which one should you use?
You may encounter Indicador lateral or Señalizador lateral in formal contexts. In some Latin American regions, the colloquial term luz de costado is used.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some Latin American regions, luz de costado is used colloquially instead of the more technical luz de posición lateral.
How does it change in a sentence?
To refer to multiple side marker lights, change luz to the plural luces to form luces de posición lateral.
How do you pronounce it?
/luθ de posiθjon lateɾal/
Did you know?
- In Spanish, the word luz is used to describe the electricity in a house, so asking if there is luz refers to whether the power is on, not just whether a lamp is lit.
- The root of luz is the same Proto-Indo-European source as the English word 'light', meaning they are distant linguistic cousins.
- The term indicador lateral can be dangerous in a mechanical context because it may be confused with the turn signal, which is also an 'indicator'.
Examples in context
- El automóvil está equipado con marcadores laterales fluorescentes para mayor visibilidad durante la noche.The car is equipped with fluorescent side markers for enhanced visibility at night.
- Mi coche necesita una nueva luz lateral izquierda.My car needs a new left side marker light.
- La luz de posición lateral es de color ámbar.The side marker light is amber.
- Debes cambiar la luz de posición lateral izquierda.You must change the left side marker light.
- ¿Funciona la luz de posición lateral del camión?Does the truck's side marker light work?
Example conversation
Lucía and Daniel are inspecting a damaged car in a garage.
- LucíaDaniel, mira la luz de posición lateral derecha.Daniel, look at the right side marker light.
- DanielParece que está rota por el golpe.It looks like it is broken from the impact.
- Lucía¿Necesitamos comprar una luz de posición lateral nueva?Do we need to buy a new side marker light?
- DanielSí, iré a la tienda de repuestos.Yes, I will go to the spare parts store.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries de, lateral, luz, posición, CC BY-SA 4.0.
