Are word translation questions on topic?

Question

Should questions that can easily be answered with a Spanish-English dictionary be considered on topic here?

For example:

• How do you say "tablecloth"?
• Translation of "miel"

What about phrases that aren't necessarily found in a dictionary?

For example:

• Best translation for "dead tired"
• How do you translate "más vale"?

Answer 1

If the question is easily answered by a dictionary, that falls into the category of "general reference" and ought to be closed.

If the question is asking about some subtlty, or ambiguity that a dictionarly cannot easily answer, then I think it is on-topic.

I think How should I translate "table" (as in a data table)? is a good example where a translation dictionary would fail, and therefor a reasonable question for this site.

Answer 2

In the words of Jeff Atwood: "Some questions are too simple".

I believe that simple dictionary searches fall solidly within that realm.

As you mention, though, words and phrases that aren't immediately found in the dictionary are outside of this rule since they aren't easily found.