como el motor de media vida

English translation: just like the middle-aged engine

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
Spanish term or phrase:como el motor de media vida
English translation:just like the middle-aged engine
Entered by: Barbara Cochran, MFA

00:26 Jan 16, 2021
Spanish to English translations [PRO]
Art/Literary - Poetry & Literature / In An Autobiography
Spanish term or phrase: como el motor de media vida
Context (the person in question is riding in a car):

Empezaba a soplar el airecillo fresco de la madrugada, que invitaba al sueño. Lucas fué el máa propicio, y apoyando negligentemente la cabeza sobre el hombro de su hermana, a los pocos instantes se dormía, con el corazón vibrándole dentro del pecho como el motor de media vida del automóvil.

Muchas Gracias,

Barbara
Barbara Cochran, MFA
United States
Local time: 18:54
just as the middle-aged engine
Explanation:
Though not too much place for creativeness, I think you could use something like this.

I hope my 2 cents were of help.

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Note added at 2 hrs (2021-01-16 02:49:54 GMT)
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When you say "media vida," you're talking about the car's engine lifespan. It usually has a life expectancy of a number of years or kilometres. Then, you have to repair anew.
Selected response from:

Juan (JP) Campaya
Argentina
Local time: 19:54
Grading comment
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
3 +2Like the car's seasoned engine
ormiston
4just as the middle-aged engine
Juan (JP) Campaya
2as the half-fueled engine of the car.
Luciana Gomez Barone


Discussion entries: 3





  

Answers


2 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 2/5Answerer confidence 2/5
as the half-fueled engine of the car.


Explanation:
Maybe it is related to the fuel of the car and not to the lifespan of the engine.


Luciana Gomez Barone
Argentina
Local time: 19:54
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Spanish
PRO pts in category: 3
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1 hr   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
just as the middle-aged engine


Explanation:
Though not too much place for creativeness, I think you could use something like this.

I hope my 2 cents were of help.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 2 hrs (2021-01-16 02:49:54 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

When you say "media vida," you're talking about the car's engine lifespan. It usually has a life expectancy of a number of years or kilometres. Then, you have to repair anew.

Example sentence(s):
  • just as the middle-aged engine of his/the car.
Juan (JP) Campaya
Argentina
Local time: 19:54
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Spanish
PRO pts in category: 12
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

9 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +2
Like the car's seasoned engine


Explanation:
Apparently like wine it improves over the years!
So here it's a nice purring sound...

www.automotiveforums.com › t165...
Résultats Web
what does "seasoned block" mean? - Car Forums and ...

ormiston
Local time: 23:54
Works in field
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 34

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  neilmac: I also think "propicio" in the original should be "propenso"... but hey, I'm a guiri...
37 mins
  -> Put a guepardo in your tank!

agree  Cláudia Pinheiro Pereira
1 hr
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