Una escalera

[laepelba]

... una escalera ... ??? ¿Cuál?



O .....



If they both use the same word, then how does one verbally distinguish between the two (which are quite different objects!)??

[Rusty]

You can say escalera de mano to refer to the ladder if you want, but generally there would be no ambiguity. If someone says 'traeme la escalera', you wouldn't think that they wanted a staircase. English has many words that are used for two different things. So does Spanish. In fact, escalera is also the word for a run in a card game.

[chileno]

Originally Posted by laepelba

... una escalera ... ??? ¿Cuál?



O .....



If they both use the same word, then how does one verbally distinguish between the two (which are quite different objects!)??

Both terns are used indistinctly, however if I had to chose I would say staircase = escalas and ladder = escalera (de tijeras) (scissors)


Hernan.

[CrOtALiTo]

Rusty. You meant Escalera for run game or it's Carrera. I believe that it should to be Carera not Escalera.

[Sancho Panther]

Chileno,
Both terms are used indistinctly,

I don't wish to offend but in English indistinctly means not properly heard, seen or understood. Whereas I think what you want to say is interchangeable (Spanish - intercambiable).

Only trying to help!

BTW Laepelba - nice staircase! And can I ask - what does Laepelba mean?

[Rusty]

Originally Posted by CrOtALiTo

I believe that it should to be Carrera, not Escalera.

That may be another way to say a straight, but I was unable to find a lot of supporting evidence for it.
In all the web sites I looked at, they use escalera to describe a straight (five cards whose values are in sequence/cinco naipes de valor (numeración) consecutivo).

For example: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 (varied suits)
Por ejemplo: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 (de palos distintos)

[laepelba]

Originally Posted by chileno

Both terns are used indistinctly, however if I had to chose I would say staircase = escalas and ladder = escalera (de tijeras) (scissors)


Hernan.

So, the "tijeras" refers to the "folding" aspect of the ladder, and not the metal of which it is made? A wooden folding ladder could also be "escalera de tijeras"? What about a ladder that leans against a building? Still simply "escalera"?

Originally Posted by Sancho Panther

BTW Laepelba - nice staircase! And can I ask - what does Laepelba mean?

Well, "L" is my first initial (of my first name) and "Aepelba" are the first seven letters of my last name. It was a login that I was assigned MANY years ago to a computer system at work, and I've just continued to use it as my login ID everywhere on the internet ... easiest to remember just one thing. You can call me "Lou Ann".

Originally Posted by Rusty

You can say escalera de mano to refer to the ladder if you want, but generally there would be no ambiguity. If someone says 'traeme la escalera', you wouldn't think that they wanted a staircase. English has many words that are used for two different things. So does Spanish. In fact, escalera is also the word for a run in a card game.

You're right - there are SO many words in English that need to be deciphered via context. I just wanted to be sure. And I LOVE that it's also used in poker. Makes a lot of sense that way, too!

[chileno]

Originally Posted by CrOtALiTo

Rusty. You meant Escalera for run game or it's Carrera. I believe that it should to be Carera not Escalera.

What Rusty said is correct. Escala or Escalera is used in most spanish countries. You might know it as corrida, but is not widely used.

Originally Posted by Sancho Panther

Chileno,
Both terms are used indistinctly,

I don't wish to offend but in English indistinctly means not properly heard, seen or understood. Whereas I think what you want to say is interchangeable (Spanish - intercambiable).

Only trying to help!

BTW Laepelba - nice staircase! And can I ask - what does Laepelba mean?

oops

That would be a false cognate. My mistake.

I meant indistinguishably.

Originally Posted by laepelba

So, the "tijeras" refers to the "folding" aspect of the ladder, and not the metal of which it is made?

Right.

Originally Posted by laepelba

A wooden folding ladder could also be "escalera de tijeras"? What about a ladder that leans against a building? Still simply "escalera"?

O escalas.





Hernan.

[Tomisimo]

Originally Posted by laepelba

If they both use the same word, then how does one verbally distinguish between the two (which are quite different objects!)??

You distinguish between them by context. If I say "Voy a ir por la escalera", you know which one I'm talking about. We do this same thing in English, but you don't think of it, since it comes naturally. For example consider bank: You can have the bank of a river, a bank where you deposit money, or a bank shot in different sports.

[chileno]

Originally Posted by Tomisimo

You distinguish between them by context. If I say "Voy a ir por la escalera", you know which one I'm talking about. We do this same thing in English, but you don't think of it, since it comes naturally. For example consider bank: You can have the bank of a river, a bank where you deposit money, or a bank shot in different sports.

Wait.

I can say "Voy a ir por la(s) escalera(s)" it is the same as "Voy a ir por la(s) escala(s)"

Now. Either phrase can mean: I am going to use the ladder (ie) or that I am going to fetch the ladder.

The latter phrase can be used only when using a staircase. you cannot fetch a staircase, right?


Hernan.

[Rusty]

@Chileno: You're right, of course, but you're using an alternate word for ladder.
Lou Ann wanted to know how to differentiate between two items that happen to be called the same thing. We're trying to teach that context is the key.

Speaking of context, escala doesn't just mean ladder. In other contexts, it can also mean a scale, like what you weigh yourself on (which could be fetched instead of a ladder if context isn't understood). It is also the word used in a musical scale. It is the word used when trying to match distances on a map with actual distance. A range of colors is una escala de colores. It can mean a stopover, used when planning a trip somewhere. There are probably other meanings.

[chileno]

Originally Posted by Rusty

@Chileno: You're right, of course, but you're using an alternate word for ladder.

Yes, I was aiming to that.

Originally Posted by Rusty

Lou Ann wanted to know how to differentiate between two items that happen to be called the same thing. We're trying to teach that context is the key.

Of course, I was merely pointing out some the usages.

Originally Posted by Rusty

Speaking of context, escala doesn't just mean ladder. In other contexts, it can also mean a scale, like what you weigh yourself on (which could be fetched instead of a ladder if context isn't understood). It is also the word used in a musical scale. It is the word used when trying to match distances on a map with actual distance. A range of colors is una escala de colores. It can mean a stopover, used when planning a trip somewhere. There are probably other meanings.

You are right. And all of those meanings for escala are used as you described.

My point is to make available to her some of the meanings, and the rest she will discover on time as she stumbles onto them.

That will make her gastric juices work (tapping my right temple with my index finger)


Oh, a stopover in a staircase is called escalón. At least in chile.


I am sure she will get to speak spanish in a brief period of time, with all the help she gets here.

Hernan.

[laepelba]

Originally Posted by chileno

Yes, I was aiming to that.

Of course, I was merely pointing out some the usages.

You are right. And all of those meanings for escala are used as you described.

My point is to make available to her some of the meanings, and the rest she will discover on time as she stumbles onto them.

That will make her gastric juices work (tapping my right temple with my index finger)

Oh, a stopover in a staircase is called escalón. At least in chile.


I am sure she will get to speak spanish in a brief period of time, with all the help she gets here.

Hernan.

....Um, I thought that my gastric juices were in my eyes .... or my nose .... because it's only because of my senses of sight and smell that I overeat.....

A "stopover"? Like where the staircase stops halfway up and changes direction before going the rest of the way up?

And, yes, the analytical portion of my personality DEFINITELY appreciates the extraneous, unsolicited information that ya'll give me when answering my questions. THANKS!!!

[chileno]

Originally Posted by laepelba

....Um, I thought that my gastric juices were in my eyes .... or my nose .... because it's only because of my senses of sight and smell that I overeat.....

Aah! I also do the seefood diet.

Originally Posted by laepelba

A "stopover"? Like where the staircase stops halfway up and changes direction before going the rest of the way up?

Correcto.

I only hope you use it to go down too.

Originally Posted by laepelba

And, yes, the analytical portion of my personality DEFINITELY appreciates the extraneous, unsolicited information that ya'll give me when answering my questions. THANKS!!!

You're very welcome, Ma'am.

I know with my maverick castelian, Rusty's grammar and David's sense of correctness you are going to be "functioning in Spanish in no time at all.

Hernan.

[Tomisimo]

Originally Posted by chileno

Wait.

I can say "Voy a ir por la(s) escalera(s)" it is the same as "Voy a ir por la(s) escala(s)"

Now. Either phrase can mean: I am going to use the ladder (ie) or that I am going to fetch the ladder.

The latter phrase can be used only when using a staircase. you cannot fetch a staircase, right?

Hernan.

In Mexico normal usage would be escalera (singular) = ladder; escaleras (plural) stairway, staircase, stairs, ladders. That helps with distinguishing between the two, but context will almost always tell you what they mean. In my previous example "Voy a ir por la escalera" could actually have two meanings. It could mean "I'm going to get the ladder" or it could mean "I'm going to use the stairs". Again, context will reveal what is meant.

Originally Posted by chileno

Oh, a stopover in a staircase is called escalón. At least in chile.

In Mexico, escalón (peldaño also works, but is less common) means step as in one step of the stairs. And I would say landing not stopover.

[chileno]

Originally Posted by chileno

Wait.

I can say "Voy a ir por la(s) escalera(s)" it is the same as "Voy a ir por la(s) escala(s)"

Now. Either phrase can mean: I am going to use the ladder (ie) or that I am going to fetch the ladder.

The latter phrase can be used only when using a staircase. you cannot fetch a staircase, right?
Hernan.

Originally Posted by Tomisimo

In Mexico normal usage would be escalera (singular) = latter; escaleras (plural) stairway, staircase, stairs, latters. That helps with distinguishing between the two, but context will almost always tell you what they mean. In my previous example "Voy a ir por la escalera" could actually have two meanings. It could mean "I'm going to get the latter" or it could mean "I'm going to use the stairs". Again, context will reveal what is meant.

I am sorry David. I got you confused and you must be really tired. Latter is not equal to ladder. I know you know.

And I said exactly that, about getting or using the ladder.

I know I write a bit convoluted, and in doing so, I got you confused. Maybe I should have been a lawyer!

Originally Posted by Tomisimo

In Mexico, escalón (peldaño also works, but is less common) means step as in one step of the stairs. And I would say landing not stopover.

Peldaño is fine. And that is how it is used. Escalón for a stepover is used because it is a big step. I do not know why it was not called peldañón, for example. :-)

Hernan.

[Tomisimo]

Originally Posted by chileno

Latter is not equal to ladder. I know you know.

Oops, time to go to bed.

[Sancho Panther]

Sorry Chileno but indistinguishably would hardly ever be used in English, and besides it does not mean what you appear to think it means! It more or less means not recognisably, so as a loyal subject of Her Britannic Majesty I have to pull linguistic rank and insist that the word you require is interchangeably!

If you continue in your obdurate recalcitrance the UK Special Branch (Grammar and Vocabulary Divn.) will be advised and punitive measures will undoubtedly ensue.

[laepelba]

Originally Posted by Sancho Panther

If you continue in your obdurate recalcitrance the UK Special Branch (Grammar and Vocabulary Divn.) will be advised and punitive measures will undoubtedly ensue.

WHOA!! Hernán - I'd be scared!!

[Sancho Panther]

Originally Posted by laepelba

WHOA!! Hernán - I'd be scared!!

LOL @ Laepelba's posting - ¿pero por favor dime qué quiere decir «Laepelba»? - ¡soy muy chafadero!