Transportation in Spanish
Collection of Spanish vocabulary related to transportation, including modes of transport, phrases, and expressions.
estación de servicio
Service station
The Spanish term 'estación de servicio' translates to 'service station' in English. Service station refers to a place where vehicles, especially automobiles, can refuel with gasoline or diesel. In addition to fuel, many service stations also offer services such as car repair and maintenance. Some might also include convenience stores or snack bars, providing essential and immediate services or items to motorists and passengers.
Example sentences with estación de servicio →estación de tren
train station
The Spanish term 'estación de tren' translates to 'train station' in English. This is a facility where trains regularly stop to load or unload passengers or freight. It generally consists of at least one track-side platform and a station building providing such ancillary services as ticket sales, waiting rooms and baggage/freight service. It's a very common term used in transportation.
Example sentences with estación de tren →estacionamiento prohibido
prohibited parking
The Spanish phrase 'estacionamiento prohibido' translates to 'prohibited parking' in English. This phrase is often seen on signs to indicate areas where vehicles are not allowed to park. Both the words 'estacionamiento' and 'prohibido' are used in a wide range of context. 'Estacionamiento' refers to the action of parking or place where you park, whereas 'prohibido' refers to something that is forbidden or prohibited. Understanding of such phrases is crucial while navigating in Spanish speaking areas to adhere to local law enforcement rules and etiquette.
Example sentences with estacionamiento prohibido →estar en obras
to be in works
The Spanish phrase 'estar en obras' is an idiomatic expression that generally means 'to be in works'. It is commonly used to refer to a situation, place, or thing that is currently under construction, renovation, or significant change. For instance, it could refer to a building that is currently undergoing construction, a project that is in progress, or a life situation that is in the process of transformation.
Example sentences with estar en obras →estrechamiento de calzada
close-up
The Spanish term 'estrechamiento de calzada' translates to 'road narrowing' or 'narrowing of the road' in English. It is a phrase that speaks to traffic and road conditions, typically used to warn drivers of upcoming changes in the road's width. It does not mean 'close-up' as stated earlier. Please note that contextual translation might vary slightly, however, it is widely understood to indicate a change in road conditions that requires drivers to take caution.
Example sentences with estrechamiento de calzada →experimentado
experienced
The Spanish word 'experimentado' translates to 'experienced' in English. This adjective is often used to describe someone who has a lot of knowledge or skill in a particular area or field due to having done it for a long period of time. It can be used in various contexts, similar to its English equivalent.
Example sentences with experimentado →facturar el equipaje
check the luggage
The phrase 'facturar el equipaje' in Spanish translates to 'check the luggage' in English. It is typically used in the context of travel, particularly at airports. When you 'facturar el equipaje', you are handing your luggage over to airport staff for it to be securely placed in the aircraft's storage area for the duration of the flight. After landing at your destination, you retrieve your 'facturado' luggage from the baggage claim area.
Example sentences with facturar el equipaje →facturar las maletas
check the bags
The Spanish phrase 'facturar las maletas' translates to 'check the bags' in English. It is a common term used in travel context, particularly at airports, bus stations, or train stations. Essentially, it means to give your luggage to the travel company so they can put it on the vehicle you are traveling by. It comes before the boarding process and it is usually necessary when the luggage is too big to be carried inside the passenger cabin. After checking, your luggage is usually accessible only after reaching your destination.
Example sentences with facturar las maletas →faro
lighthouse
The word 'faro' in Spanish translates to 'lighthouse' in English. A lighthouse is a tower or other structure containing a beacon light to warn or guide ships at sea. The term 'faro' may be used in various contexts, but it primarily refers to a navigational aid for maritime pilots at sea or on inland waterways.
Example sentences with faro →fila
row
The Spanish noun 'fila' translates to 'row' in English. It has various contextual uses, but it generally refers to a line of things or people arranged side by side, such as a row of chairs, a row of buildings, or even a row of people waiting for their turn. This term can also be used when referring to a line of cells in a spreadsheet or a row of elements in a certain order in an array or a list.
Example sentences with fila →freno (de mano)
(hand) brake
The term 'freno (de mano)' in Spanish refers to a device used in vehicles to facilitate stationary parking or emergency halting. It is an alternative measure to the car's main braking system and can be manually operated. Usually, it appears as a handle in the car with a lever or a foot pedal. In English, this is commonly known as the 'hand brake' or 'parking brake'.
Example sentences with freno (de mano) →furgoneta
van
A van is a type of vehicle used for transporting goods or people. Depending on the type of van, it can be bigger or smaller than a pickup truck and SUV, and bigger than a common car.
Example sentences with furgoneta →garaje
garage
The Spanish word 'garaje' translates to 'garage' in English. A 'garage' is a building or a part of a building where you keep a car. Garages can be separate structures or integrated into a house or apartment building. They are often used for car storage to protect vehicles from the weather and for storing tools, bikes, and other items. In the same vein, 'garaje' in Spanish serves the exact same purpose.
gasolina normal
Normal gas
The Spanish phrase 'gasolina normal' translates to 'normal gas' in English. It is a form of gas used commonly in vehicles and is often the basic or standard option available at gas stations. The term is generally used to contrast with 'gasolina premium', which would translate to 'premium gas', another type of gasoline which is often more refined and may offer certain benefits such as improved engine performance or longevity.
Example sentences with gasolina normal →gasolina sin plomo
unleaded gasoline
The Spanish phrase 'gasolina sin plomo' translates to 'unleaded gasoline' in English. This specific term refers to a type of gasoline that does not contain lead additives. Lead was once added to gasoline to increase performance and reduce engine knocking. However, lead is a toxic substance that can harm the environment and human health. 'Sin plomo' literally translates to 'without lead', indicating that the gasoline is lead-free or unleaded. Thus, 'gasolina sin plomo' represents a safer and more eco-friendly fuel option.
Example sentences with gasolina sin plomo →gasolina súper
Super gasoline
The Spanish term 'gasolina súper' translates to 'super gasoline' in English. This phrase is typically used to refer to high-quality gasoline or gasoline with a high octane rating. The higher the octane number, the greater the fuel's resistance to knocking or pinging during combustion. It might also be mentioned at a service station, where different types of petrol are on offer. The 'super' term indicates that this is a superior or more refined version of ordinary gasoline.
Example sentences with gasolina súper →gasolinera
gas station
The Spanish word 'gasolinera' translates to 'gas station' in English. It is a facility which sells fuel and engine lubricants for motor vehicles. The services available regarding motor fuel differ greatly around the world. Other services, such as small snacks, vehicle repair services, or even full shopping outlets may also be available at a gas station (or 'gasolinera', in Spanish).
Example sentences with gasolinera →girar
turn
The Spanish word 'girar' is used in the same context as the English word 'turn'. It can refer to the action of changing direction. For example, 'girar a la derecha' means 'turn to the right'. However, it can also be used in a figurative sense, such as 'girar en torno a' which means 'revolve around' something metaphorically.
Example sentences with girar →giro prohibido
prohibited turn
The phrase 'giro prohibido' in Spanish translates to 'prohibited turn' in English. Essentially, this phrase is often used in traffic contexts to indicate that a specific turn or direction is not allowed. For example, you might see a traffic sign with this phrase informing that turning to a certain road or lane is prohibited due to various reasons such as road works, one-way road among other reasons. Understanding such phrases can be essential especially if you are driving in a Spanish-speaking region.
Example sentences with giro prohibido →globo
balloon
The Spanish word 'globo' translates to 'balloon' in English. Apart from its most common usage to denote a helium or hot-air filled spherical object often used for decoration purposes or transportation in certain situations, it may also refer to a comic strip or the dialogue box in a comic strip in an extended sense. Moreover, in a colloquial context, 'globo' may mean an idea that is impractical or unrealistic, much like the English phrase 'an air balloon idea'. However, the appropriate meaning is usually determined by the context.
Example sentences with globo →grúa
Crane
The Spanish word 'grúa' translates to 'crane' in English. It's a noun that is used to refer to a type of large machinery used to move heavy objects by suspending them from a beam, or a type of bird known for its long legs, neck, and bill. In certain contexts, 'grúa' can also refer to a tow truck in Spanish.
Example sentences with grúa →haber (un) atasco
there is (a) jam
The Spanish phrase 'haber (un) atasco' translates to 'there is (a) jam' in English. It is often used to describe traffic situations where the vehicles cannot move due to congestion, similar to a jam or blockage. Note that 'hay' is commonly used for 'there is' while 'un' is 'a' and 'atasco' is 'jam'. Apart from traffic context, it can also be metaphorically used for any kind of hindrance or obstruction. It's a handy phrase to remember when you find yourself in a crowded or halted situation.
Example sentences with haber (un) atasco →haber caravana
have a caravan
The Spanish term 'haber caravana' directly translates to 'have a caravan' in English. However, in Spanish, this phrase is often used in an idiomatic context to indicate a traffic jam or a situation where a long line of cars has formed on the road, similar to a caravan of vehicles. The use of this phrase may vary by region and context.
Example sentences with haber caravana →haber límite de velocidad
There's speed limit
The Spanish phrase 'haber límite de velocidad' translates to 'there's a speed limit' in English. This is typically used in the context of driving or traffic rules, where a maximum speed at which a vehicle may legally travel is instituted to ensure safety on the road. Just like in English, this term is used to communicate to drivers that they must regulate their speed according to the set limit.
Example sentences with haber límite de velocidad →haber mucho movimiento
there's a lot of movement
The Spanish phrase 'haber mucho movimiento' translates to 'there's a lot of movement' in English. This can be used to describe a situation or place where many things are happening at once, or many people moving or busy. For example, a bustling marketplace or a crowded party may represent a situation with 'mucho movimiento'. It can also refer to a metaphorical or abstract situation where a lot of changes are happening, such as in a company or organization.
Example sentences with haber mucho movimiento →haber mucho tráfico
there's plenty of traffic
The Spanish phrase 'haber mucho tráfico' translates to 'there's plenty of traffic' in English. This phrase could be used to describe a situation on the road where many vehicles are moving slowly or not moving at all, which could result in delays. It's typically used in conversations related to commuting or travelling.
Example sentences with haber mucho tráfico →haber un accidente
There was an accident.
The Spanish phrase 'haber un accidente' translates to 'there was an accident' in English. This phrase uses the verb 'haber' which is used to indicate the existence of an event or a condition. The noun 'accidente' indicates any unexpected event causing damage or harm. So when these are put together, they are usually referring to an unfortunate event that has already happened.
Example sentences with haber un accidente →haber un embotellamiento
there's a bottleneck
The Spanish phrase 'haber un embotellamiento' translates to 'there's a bottleneck' in English. It is usually used to describe a situation where the flow of traffic is severely constrained in a particular area, similar to how liquid is limited by the narrow neck of a bottle, hence the term 'bottleneck'. It could also be used metaphorically to describe any situation where progress or productivity is slowed down due to a hindrance or restriction at one point in a process or system.
Example sentences with haber un embotellamiento →hacer transbordo
transfer
The Spanish phrase 'hacer transbordo' translates to 'transfer' in English. It's commonly used in the context of transportation, where you might need to 'hacer transbordo' or 'transfer' from one bus or train to another to get to your destination. You can also 'hacer transbordo' in a metaphorical sense, switching from one subject, task, or state of mind to another.
Example sentences with hacer transbordo →hacer un adelantamiento prohibido
to make a forbidden advance
The Spanish phrase 'hacer un adelantamiento prohibido' translates into English as 'to make a forbidden advance'. This phrase is often used in the context of driving, where making a 'forbidden advance' might mean an illegal overtaking of another vehicle. However, it's important to note that, like in English, this phrase could be used metaphorically in other contexts, such as making an inappropriate advance in a personal or professional relationship.
Example sentences with hacer un adelantamiento prohibido →