Crossing a Busy Street — Directions

You

Necesito cruzar esta avenida. ¿Dónde hay un semáforo?

neh-seh-SEE-toh kroo-SAR EHS-tah ah-beh-NEE-dah. DOHN-deh eye oon seh-MAH-foh-roh?

I need to cross this avenue. Where is there a traffic light?

"Semáforo" is the word for traffic light across all of Latin America.

Local

Hay uno allá. Tiene que esperar la luz verde para cruzar.

eye OO-noh ah-YAH. TYEH-neh keh ehs-peh-RAR lah loos BEHR-deh PAH-rah kroo-SAR.

There's one over there. You have to wait for the green light to cross.

Local

Tenga cuidado con las motos. No siempre se paran.

TEHN-gah kwee-DAH-doh kohn lahs MOH-tohs. noh SYEHM-preh seh PAH-rahn.

Be careful with the motorcycles. They don't always stop.

In many Latin American cities, motorcycles weave through traffic and may not obey traffic signals. Always look both ways.

You

Gracias por el consejo. Voy a esperar la luz verde.

GRAH-syahs por el kohn-SEH-hoh. boy ah ehs-peh-RAR lah loos BEHR-deh.

Thanks for the advice. I'll wait for the green light.

Local

¡Ahora sí! Cruce rápido con cuidado.

ah-OH-rah see! KROO-seh RRAH-pee-doh kohn kwee-DAH-doh.

Now! Cross quickly and carefully.

"Con cuidado" (with care / carefully) is a phrase you'll hear often from helpful locals.