What does “bis” mean in an address?
In Mexico I often see street addresses in the form "Calle Guadaloupe, 76bis" instead of "Calle Guadaloupe, 76" or something. I think I have also seen this in various other Latin American countries. Another common form I remember is "Calle Insurgentes 43 bis esquina 12c". I vaguely remember the doors being close to street corners too.
I've googled and asked people but not managed to get anywhere.
What does "bis" mean in this context?
definiciones méxico hispanoamérica
asked Jan 8 at 16:03
TurkeyphantTurkeyphant
14815
|
show 4 more comments
In Mexico I often see street addresses in the form "Calle Guadaloupe, 76bis" instead of "Calle Guadaloupe, 76" or something. I think I have also seen this in various other Latin American countries. Another common form I remember is "Calle Insurgentes 43 bis esquina 12c". I vaguely remember the doors being close to street corners too.
I've googled and asked people but not managed to get anywhere.
What does "bis" mean in this context?
definiciones méxico hispanoamérica
asked Jan 8 at 16:03
TurkeyphantTurkeyphant
14815
Bis is commonly used this way in France. In French, it literally means 'two times/twice', 'a second time', or 'again'. I assume the the Spanish adopted the French word.
– Strawberry
Jan 9 at 11:19
"bis" in Spanish addresses is the same as "b" in British addresses
– Aaron F
Jan 9 at 12:08
@AaronF Except where there's also a 'c'
– Strawberry
Jan 9 at 12:34
@Strawberry indeed! :-) I'm not sure what happens in Spain if there's a third or fourth subdivision. The prefix "bis" is also used when describing relations, in the same way "great" is used in English. "Great-great-grandmother" would be "bisbisabuela" in Spanish. But that doesn't apply to houses/flats, I've not seen "42 bis bis", for example :-)
– Aaron F
Jan 9 at 12:38
@AaronF Oh, right - I didn't know the Spanish used the word in other contexts. Still, I think the comparison with 'b' is a little confusing.
– Strawberry
Jan 9 at 12:40
|
show 4 more comments
In Mexico I often see street addresses in the form "Calle Guadaloupe, 76bis" instead of "Calle Guadaloupe, 76" or something. I think I have also seen this in various other Latin American countries. Another common form I remember is "Calle Insurgentes 43 bis esquina 12c". I vaguely remember the doors being close to street corners too.
I've googled and asked people but not managed to get anywhere.
What does "bis" mean in this context?
definiciones méxico hispanoamérica
asked Jan 8 at 16:03
TurkeyphantTurkeyphant
14815
In Mexico I often see street addresses in the form "Calle Guadaloupe, 76bis" instead of "Calle Guadaloupe, 76" or something. I think I have also seen this in various other Latin American countries. Another common form I remember is "Calle Insurgentes 43 bis esquina 12c". I vaguely remember the doors being close to street corners too.
I've googled and asked people but not managed to get anywhere.
What does "bis" mean in this context?
definiciones méxico hispanoamérica
definiciones méxico hispanoamérica
asked Jan 8 at 16:03
TurkeyphantTurkeyphant
14815
asked Jan 8 at 16:03
TurkeyphantTurkeyphant
14815
asked Jan 8 at 16:03
TurkeyphantTurkeyphant
14815
asked Jan 8 at 16:03
TurkeyphantTurkeyphant
14815
asked Jan 8 at 16:03
TurkeyphantTurkeyphant
14815
14815
Bis is commonly used this way in France. In French, it literally means 'two times/twice', 'a second time', or 'again'. I assume the the Spanish adopted the French word.
– Strawberry
Jan 9 at 11:19
"bis" in Spanish addresses is the same as "b" in British addresses
– Aaron F
Jan 9 at 12:08
@AaronF Except where there's also a 'c'
– Strawberry
Jan 9 at 12:34
@Strawberry indeed! :-) I'm not sure what happens in Spain if there's a third or fourth subdivision. The prefix "bis" is also used when describing relations, in the same way "great" is used in English. "Great-great-grandmother" would be "bisbisabuela" in Spanish. But that doesn't apply to houses/flats, I've not seen "42 bis bis", for example :-)
– Aaron F
Jan 9 at 12:38
@AaronF Oh, right - I didn't know the Spanish used the word in other contexts. Still, I think the comparison with 'b' is a little confusing.
– Strawberry
Jan 9 at 12:40
|
show 4 more comments
Bis is commonly used this way in France. In French, it literally means 'two times/twice', 'a second time', or 'again'. I assume the the Spanish adopted the French word.
– Strawberry
Jan 9 at 11:19
"bis" in Spanish addresses is the same as "b" in British addresses
– Aaron F
Jan 9 at 12:08
@AaronF Except where there's also a 'c'
– Strawberry
Jan 9 at 12:34
@Strawberry indeed! :-) I'm not sure what happens in Spain if there's a third or fourth subdivision. The prefix "bis" is also used when describing relations, in the same way "great" is used in English. "Great-great-grandmother" would be "bisbisabuela" in Spanish. But that doesn't apply to houses/flats, I've not seen "42 bis bis", for example :-)
– Aaron F
Jan 9 at 12:38
@AaronF Oh, right - I didn't know the Spanish used the word in other contexts. Still, I think the comparison with 'b' is a little confusing.
– Strawberry
Jan 9 at 12:40
Bis is commonly used this way in France. In French, it literally means 'two times/twice', 'a second time', or 'again'. I assume the the Spanish adopted the French word.
– Strawberry
Jan 9 at 11:19
Bis is commonly used this way in France. In French, it literally means 'two times/twice', 'a second time', or 'again'. I assume the the Spanish adopted the French word.
– Strawberry
Jan 9 at 11:19
"bis" in Spanish addresses is the same as "b" in British addresses
– Aaron F
Jan 9 at 12:08
"bis" in Spanish addresses is the same as "b" in British addresses
– Aaron F
Jan 9 at 12:08
@AaronF Except where there's also a 'c'
– Strawberry
Jan 9 at 12:34
@AaronF Except where there's also a 'c'
– Strawberry
Jan 9 at 12:34
@Strawberry indeed! :-) I'm not sure what happens in Spain if there's a third or fourth subdivision. The prefix "bis" is also used when describing relations, in the same way "great" is used in English. "Great-great-grandmother" would be "bisbisabuela" in Spanish. But that doesn't apply to houses/flats, I've not seen "42 bis bis", for example :-)
– Aaron F
Jan 9 at 12:38
@Strawberry indeed! :-) I'm not sure what happens in Spain if there's a third or fourth subdivision. The prefix "bis" is also used when describing relations, in the same way "great" is used in English. "Great-great-grandmother" would be "bisbisabuela" in Spanish. But that doesn't apply to houses/flats, I've not seen "42 bis bis", for example :-)
– Aaron F
Jan 9 at 12:38
@AaronF Oh, right - I didn't know the Spanish used the word in other contexts. Still, I think the comparison with 'b' is a little confusing.
– Strawberry
Jan 9 at 12:40
@AaronF Oh, right - I didn't know the Spanish used the word in other contexts. Still, I think the comparison with 'b' is a little confusing.
– Strawberry
Jan 9 at 12:40
|
show 4 more comments
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
Where street addresses are concerned there are many different systems even within the same country. In some places houses are numbered consecutively; if some building is then divided into two or more houses (or if different entrances are to have different numbers), one will find that, for example, the house between numbers 5 and 7 receives the number "5 bis".
In Argentina and other Latin American countries there is instead a system whereby blocks form a more-or-less regular grid and street numbers are assigned from fixed ranges. For example, in my street, the numbers from one block to the other run from 1500 to 1598 on the northern sidewalk and from 1501 to 1599 in the southern one. In this system, when a house needs a number, you can actually measure the distance from the corner and that, plus the corresponding offset, is its number. In this case you won't ever need something like a "bis". But sometimes a street is extended beyond its number zero in the "negative" direction. In some cities they just change the name of the street from that point on. In others they number the houses with "bis", with numbers growing in the opposite direction as the other part of the street (much like negative numbers).
answered Jan 8 at 16:57
pablodf76pablodf76
22.2k11467
One question/note about "the house between numbers 5 and 6". I know I might be nitpicking your great answer, but I think this would be "the house between numbers 5 and 7" since one side of the street would have even numbers and the other would have odd numbers? You are right that every country has their own system, but I believe that might be a standard case and help to clarify and improve your answer. For the record, I actually have seen a street where I live where numbers are actually consecutive. The tricky part is that there is a playground (not houses) on the other side of the street
– Diego♦
Jan 8 at 17:15
Thanks for your answer but it seems to contradict the other one. Can anyone confirm that both systems are in use in the Spanish-speaking world (and if there's any way to tell which one without visiting the address)?
– Turkeyphant
Jan 8 at 19:48
2
As I said, there are different systems. If you can get several addresses on the same block you can guess which system is being used. If the whole block is numbered consecutively with all numbers having a "bis", then it's the one I described. If "bis" numbers are mixed among plain numbers, then it's the other one.
– pablodf76
Jan 8 at 22:39
add a comment |
bis
Del lat. bis 'dos veces'.
...
4. adj. U. pospuesto a un número de una serie para indicar que este sigue inmediatamente a ese mismo número ya empleado. Puerta 5 bis.
So, in this context it means there are two addresses with the same Street/Number, and this is referring to the second one. Similar to how A, B etc are used for apartments at the same address.
Note: this is general Spanish usage, not limited to Latin America.
answered Jan 8 at 16:27
ukemiukemi
10.8k22359
What was strange about this is that the address had an A and a B as well as a "bis". And I'm still not sure what the "esquina 12c" bit means (can you also clarify regarding my comment to the other answer).
– Turkeyphant
Jan 8 at 19:46
2
It's not even limited to Spanish; we're using it in The Netherlands too (mixed with other forms of house number additions).
– Glorfindel
Jan 8 at 21:41
I've seen house number 372½ in the US.
– chrylis
Jan 9 at 2:49
1
@chrylis And let's not even get started on train platforms...
– Lightness Races in Orbit
Jan 9 at 12:52
add a comment |
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2 Answers
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2 Answers
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Where street addresses are concerned there are many different systems even within the same country. In some places houses are numbered consecutively; if some building is then divided into two or more houses (or if different entrances are to have different numbers), one will find that, for example, the house between numbers 5 and 7 receives the number "5 bis".
In Argentina and other Latin American countries there is instead a system whereby blocks form a more-or-less regular grid and street numbers are assigned from fixed ranges. For example, in my street, the numbers from one block to the other run from 1500 to 1598 on the northern sidewalk and from 1501 to 1599 in the southern one. In this system, when a house needs a number, you can actually measure the distance from the corner and that, plus the corresponding offset, is its number. In this case you won't ever need something like a "bis". But sometimes a street is extended beyond its number zero in the "negative" direction. In some cities they just change the name of the street from that point on. In others they number the houses with "bis", with numbers growing in the opposite direction as the other part of the street (much like negative numbers).
answered Jan 8 at 16:57
pablodf76pablodf76
22.2k11467
One question/note about "the house between numbers 5 and 6". I know I might be nitpicking your great answer, but I think this would be "the house between numbers 5 and 7" since one side of the street would have even numbers and the other would have odd numbers? You are right that every country has their own system, but I believe that might be a standard case and help to clarify and improve your answer. For the record, I actually have seen a street where I live where numbers are actually consecutive. The tricky part is that there is a playground (not houses) on the other side of the street
– Diego♦
Jan 8 at 17:15
Thanks for your answer but it seems to contradict the other one. Can anyone confirm that both systems are in use in the Spanish-speaking world (and if there's any way to tell which one without visiting the address)?
– Turkeyphant
Jan 8 at 19:48
2
As I said, there are different systems. If you can get several addresses on the same block you can guess which system is being used. If the whole block is numbered consecutively with all numbers having a "bis", then it's the one I described. If "bis" numbers are mixed among plain numbers, then it's the other one.
– pablodf76
Jan 8 at 22:39
add a comment |
Where street addresses are concerned there are many different systems even within the same country. In some places houses are numbered consecutively; if some building is then divided into two or more houses (or if different entrances are to have different numbers), one will find that, for example, the house between numbers 5 and 7 receives the number "5 bis".
In Argentina and other Latin American countries there is instead a system whereby blocks form a more-or-less regular grid and street numbers are assigned from fixed ranges. For example, in my street, the numbers from one block to the other run from 1500 to 1598 on the northern sidewalk and from 1501 to 1599 in the southern one. In this system, when a house needs a number, you can actually measure the distance from the corner and that, plus the corresponding offset, is its number. In this case you won't ever need something like a "bis". But sometimes a street is extended beyond its number zero in the "negative" direction. In some cities they just change the name of the street from that point on. In others they number the houses with "bis", with numbers growing in the opposite direction as the other part of the street (much like negative numbers).
answered Jan 8 at 16:57
pablodf76pablodf76
22.2k11467
One question/note about "the house between numbers 5 and 6". I know I might be nitpicking your great answer, but I think this would be "the house between numbers 5 and 7" since one side of the street would have even numbers and the other would have odd numbers? You are right that every country has their own system, but I believe that might be a standard case and help to clarify and improve your answer. For the record, I actually have seen a street where I live where numbers are actually consecutive. The tricky part is that there is a playground (not houses) on the other side of the street
– Diego♦
Jan 8 at 17:15
Thanks for your answer but it seems to contradict the other one. Can anyone confirm that both systems are in use in the Spanish-speaking world (and if there's any way to tell which one without visiting the address)?
– Turkeyphant
Jan 8 at 19:48
2
As I said, there are different systems. If you can get several addresses on the same block you can guess which system is being used. If the whole block is numbered consecutively with all numbers having a "bis", then it's the one I described. If "bis" numbers are mixed among plain numbers, then it's the other one.
– pablodf76
Jan 8 at 22:39
add a comment |
Where street addresses are concerned there are many different systems even within the same country. In some places houses are numbered consecutively; if some building is then divided into two or more houses (or if different entrances are to have different numbers), one will find that, for example, the house between numbers 5 and 7 receives the number "5 bis".
In Argentina and other Latin American countries there is instead a system whereby blocks form a more-or-less regular grid and street numbers are assigned from fixed ranges. For example, in my street, the numbers from one block to the other run from 1500 to 1598 on the northern sidewalk and from 1501 to 1599 in the southern one. In this system, when a house needs a number, you can actually measure the distance from the corner and that, plus the corresponding offset, is its number. In this case you won't ever need something like a "bis". But sometimes a street is extended beyond its number zero in the "negative" direction. In some cities they just change the name of the street from that point on. In others they number the houses with "bis", with numbers growing in the opposite direction as the other part of the street (much like negative numbers).
answered Jan 8 at 16:57
pablodf76pablodf76
22.2k11467
Where street addresses are concerned there are many different systems even within the same country. In some places houses are numbered consecutively; if some building is then divided into two or more houses (or if different entrances are to have different numbers), one will find that, for example, the house between numbers 5 and 7 receives the number "5 bis".
In Argentina and other Latin American countries there is instead a system whereby blocks form a more-or-less regular grid and street numbers are assigned from fixed ranges. For example, in my street, the numbers from one block to the other run from 1500 to 1598 on the northern sidewalk and from 1501 to 1599 in the southern one. In this system, when a house needs a number, you can actually measure the distance from the corner and that, plus the corresponding offset, is its number. In this case you won't ever need something like a "bis". But sometimes a street is extended beyond its number zero in the "negative" direction. In some cities they just change the name of the street from that point on. In others they number the houses with "bis", with numbers growing in the opposite direction as the other part of the street (much like negative numbers).
answered Jan 8 at 16:57
pablodf76pablodf76
22.2k11467
edited Jan 8 at 22:34
answered Jan 8 at 16:57
pablodf76pablodf76
22.2k11467
answered Jan 8 at 16:57
pablodf76pablodf76
22.2k11467
answered Jan 8 at 16:57
pablodf76pablodf76
22.2k11467
22.2k11467
One question/note about "the house between numbers 5 and 6". I know I might be nitpicking your great answer, but I think this would be "the house between numbers 5 and 7" since one side of the street would have even numbers and the other would have odd numbers? You are right that every country has their own system, but I believe that might be a standard case and help to clarify and improve your answer. For the record, I actually have seen a street where I live where numbers are actually consecutive. The tricky part is that there is a playground (not houses) on the other side of the street
– Diego♦
Jan 8 at 17:15
Thanks for your answer but it seems to contradict the other one. Can anyone confirm that both systems are in use in the Spanish-speaking world (and if there's any way to tell which one without visiting the address)?
– Turkeyphant
Jan 8 at 19:48
2
As I said, there are different systems. If you can get several addresses on the same block you can guess which system is being used. If the whole block is numbered consecutively with all numbers having a "bis", then it's the one I described. If "bis" numbers are mixed among plain numbers, then it's the other one.
– pablodf76
Jan 8 at 22:39
add a comment |
One question/note about "the house between numbers 5 and 6". I know I might be nitpicking your great answer, but I think this would be "the house between numbers 5 and 7" since one side of the street would have even numbers and the other would have odd numbers? You are right that every country has their own system, but I believe that might be a standard case and help to clarify and improve your answer. For the record, I actually have seen a street where I live where numbers are actually consecutive. The tricky part is that there is a playground (not houses) on the other side of the street
– Diego♦
Jan 8 at 17:15
Thanks for your answer but it seems to contradict the other one. Can anyone confirm that both systems are in use in the Spanish-speaking world (and if there's any way to tell which one without visiting the address)?
– Turkeyphant
Jan 8 at 19:48
2
As I said, there are different systems. If you can get several addresses on the same block you can guess which system is being used. If the whole block is numbered consecutively with all numbers having a "bis", then it's the one I described. If "bis" numbers are mixed among plain numbers, then it's the other one.
– pablodf76
Jan 8 at 22:39
One question/note about "the house between numbers 5 and 6". I know I might be nitpicking your great answer, but I think this would be "the house between numbers 5 and 7" since one side of the street would have even numbers and the other would have odd numbers? You are right that every country has their own system, but I believe that might be a standard case and help to clarify and improve your answer. For the record, I actually have seen a street where I live where numbers are actually consecutive. The tricky part is that there is a playground (not houses) on the other side of the street
– Diego♦
Jan 8 at 17:15
One question/note about "the house between numbers 5 and 6". I know I might be nitpicking your great answer, but I think this would be "the house between numbers 5 and 7" since one side of the street would have even numbers and the other would have odd numbers? You are right that every country has their own system, but I believe that might be a standard case and help to clarify and improve your answer. For the record, I actually have seen a street where I live where numbers are actually consecutive. The tricky part is that there is a playground (not houses) on the other side of the street
– Diego♦
Jan 8 at 17:15
Thanks for your answer but it seems to contradict the other one. Can anyone confirm that both systems are in use in the Spanish-speaking world (and if there's any way to tell which one without visiting the address)?
– Turkeyphant
Jan 8 at 19:48
Thanks for your answer but it seems to contradict the other one. Can anyone confirm that both systems are in use in the Spanish-speaking world (and if there's any way to tell which one without visiting the address)?
– Turkeyphant
Jan 8 at 19:48
2
2
As I said, there are different systems. If you can get several addresses on the same block you can guess which system is being used. If the whole block is numbered consecutively with all numbers having a "bis", then it's the one I described. If "bis" numbers are mixed among plain numbers, then it's the other one.
– pablodf76
Jan 8 at 22:39
As I said, there are different systems. If you can get several addresses on the same block you can guess which system is being used. If the whole block is numbered consecutively with all numbers having a "bis", then it's the one I described. If "bis" numbers are mixed among plain numbers, then it's the other one.
– pablodf76
Jan 8 at 22:39
add a comment |
bis
Del lat. bis 'dos veces'.
...
4. adj. U. pospuesto a un número de una serie para indicar que este sigue inmediatamente a ese mismo número ya empleado. Puerta 5 bis.
So, in this context it means there are two addresses with the same Street/Number, and this is referring to the second one. Similar to how A, B etc are used for apartments at the same address.
Note: this is general Spanish usage, not limited to Latin America.
answered Jan 8 at 16:27
ukemiukemi
10.8k22359
What was strange about this is that the address had an A and a B as well as a "bis". And I'm still not sure what the "esquina 12c" bit means (can you also clarify regarding my comment to the other answer).
– Turkeyphant
Jan 8 at 19:46
2
It's not even limited to Spanish; we're using it in The Netherlands too (mixed with other forms of house number additions).
– Glorfindel
Jan 8 at 21:41
I've seen house number 372½ in the US.
– chrylis
Jan 9 at 2:49
1
@chrylis And let's not even get started on train platforms...
– Lightness Races in Orbit
Jan 9 at 12:52
add a comment |
bis
Del lat. bis 'dos veces'.
...
4. adj. U. pospuesto a un número de una serie para indicar que este sigue inmediatamente a ese mismo número ya empleado. Puerta 5 bis.
So, in this context it means there are two addresses with the same Street/Number, and this is referring to the second one. Similar to how A, B etc are used for apartments at the same address.
Note: this is general Spanish usage, not limited to Latin America.
answered Jan 8 at 16:27
ukemiukemi
10.8k22359
What was strange about this is that the address had an A and a B as well as a "bis". And I'm still not sure what the "esquina 12c" bit means (can you also clarify regarding my comment to the other answer).
– Turkeyphant
Jan 8 at 19:46
2
It's not even limited to Spanish; we're using it in The Netherlands too (mixed with other forms of house number additions).
– Glorfindel
Jan 8 at 21:41
I've seen house number 372½ in the US.
– chrylis
Jan 9 at 2:49
1
@chrylis And let's not even get started on train platforms...
– Lightness Races in Orbit
Jan 9 at 12:52
add a comment |
bis
Del lat. bis 'dos veces'.
...
4. adj. U. pospuesto a un número de una serie para indicar que este sigue inmediatamente a ese mismo número ya empleado. Puerta 5 bis.
So, in this context it means there are two addresses with the same Street/Number, and this is referring to the second one. Similar to how A, B etc are used for apartments at the same address.
Note: this is general Spanish usage, not limited to Latin America.
answered Jan 8 at 16:27
ukemiukemi
10.8k22359
bis
Del lat. bis 'dos veces'.
...
4. adj. U. pospuesto a un número de una serie para indicar que este sigue inmediatamente a ese mismo número ya empleado. Puerta 5 bis.
So, in this context it means there are two addresses with the same Street/Number, and this is referring to the second one. Similar to how A, B etc are used for apartments at the same address.
Note: this is general Spanish usage, not limited to Latin America.
answered Jan 8 at 16:27
ukemiukemi
10.8k22359
edited Jan 8 at 16:53
answered Jan 8 at 16:27
ukemiukemi
10.8k22359
answered Jan 8 at 16:27
ukemiukemi
10.8k22359
answered Jan 8 at 16:27
ukemiukemi
10.8k22359
10.8k22359
What was strange about this is that the address had an A and a B as well as a "bis". And I'm still not sure what the "esquina 12c" bit means (can you also clarify regarding my comment to the other answer).
– Turkeyphant
Jan 8 at 19:46
2
It's not even limited to Spanish; we're using it in The Netherlands too (mixed with other forms of house number additions).
– Glorfindel
Jan 8 at 21:41
I've seen house number 372½ in the US.
– chrylis
Jan 9 at 2:49
1
@chrylis And let's not even get started on train platforms...
– Lightness Races in Orbit
Jan 9 at 12:52
add a comment |
What was strange about this is that the address had an A and a B as well as a "bis". And I'm still not sure what the "esquina 12c" bit means (can you also clarify regarding my comment to the other answer).
– Turkeyphant
Jan 8 at 19:46
2
It's not even limited to Spanish; we're using it in The Netherlands too (mixed with other forms of house number additions).
– Glorfindel
Jan 8 at 21:41
I've seen house number 372½ in the US.
– chrylis
Jan 9 at 2:49
1
@chrylis And let's not even get started on train platforms...
– Lightness Races in Orbit
Jan 9 at 12:52
What was strange about this is that the address had an A and a B as well as a "bis". And I'm still not sure what the "esquina 12c" bit means (can you also clarify regarding my comment to the other answer).
– Turkeyphant
Jan 8 at 19:46
What was strange about this is that the address had an A and a B as well as a "bis". And I'm still not sure what the "esquina 12c" bit means (can you also clarify regarding my comment to the other answer).
– Turkeyphant
Jan 8 at 19:46
2
2
It's not even limited to Spanish; we're using it in The Netherlands too (mixed with other forms of house number additions).
– Glorfindel
Jan 8 at 21:41
It's not even limited to Spanish; we're using it in The Netherlands too (mixed with other forms of house number additions).
– Glorfindel
Jan 8 at 21:41
I've seen house number 372½ in the US.
– chrylis
Jan 9 at 2:49
I've seen house number 372½ in the US.
– chrylis
Jan 9 at 2:49
1
1
@chrylis And let's not even get started on train platforms...
– Lightness Races in Orbit
Jan 9 at 12:52
@chrylis And let's not even get started on train platforms...
– Lightness Races in Orbit
Jan 9 at 12:52
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Bis is commonly used this way in France. In French, it literally means 'two times/twice', 'a second time', or 'again'. I assume the the Spanish adopted the French word.
– Strawberry
Jan 9 at 11:19
"bis" in Spanish addresses is the same as "b" in British addresses
– Aaron F
Jan 9 at 12:08
@AaronF Except where there's also a 'c'
– Strawberry
Jan 9 at 12:34
@Strawberry indeed! :-) I'm not sure what happens in Spain if there's a third or fourth subdivision. The prefix "bis" is also used when describing relations, in the same way "great" is used in English. "Great-great-grandmother" would be "bisbisabuela" in Spanish. But that doesn't apply to houses/flats, I've not seen "42 bis bis", for example :-)
– Aaron F
Jan 9 at 12:38
@AaronF Oh, right - I didn't know the Spanish used the word in other contexts. Still, I think the comparison with 'b' is a little confusing.
– Strawberry
Jan 9 at 12:40