carril bici
/karil biθi/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'bike lane' is translated into Spanish as carril bici.
A bike lane is a part of a road that is reserved for people riding bicycles. In Spanish, you can use carril bici or the alternative term ciclovía to refer to these dedicated cycling paths.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase carril bici is a combination of carril (lane) and bici (a common abbreviation for bicicleta).
Which one should you use?
The term ciclovía is a common alternative used to refer to bike lanes or dedicated cycling paths.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Chile, Ciclovía or Pista para Bicicletas can be used to refer to a 'Bike Lane'.
How does it change in a sentence?
To make the phrase plural, only the noun 'carril' changes to carriles bici. The adjective/noun modifier 'bici' remains singular.
Did you know?
- In some Latin American cities, ciclovía refers to a weekly event where entire main avenues are closed to cars and opened exclusively to cyclists and pedestrians.
- The word carril is a distant relative of the English word 'rail'. Both descend from the Latin 'currus' which referred to a two-wheeled chariot.
- A ciclovía often implies a path physically separated from car traffic by a curb, whereas a carril bici is frequently just a painted line on the road.
Examples in context
- Disculpe, ¿dónde puedo encontrar el carril para bicicletas más cercano?Excuse me, where can I find the nearest bike lane?
- Vamos a dar una vuelta por la ciclovía del vecindario.Let's take a ride on the neighborhood bike lane.
- Hay un carril bici en esta calle.There is a bike lane on this street.
- El carril bici está muy lleno hoy.The bike lane is very full today.
- Debes conducir con cuidado en el carril bici.You must drive carefully in the bike lane.
- ¿Hay un carril bici cerca de aquí?Is there a bike lane near here?
Example conversation
Mateo and María are walking through the city center.
- Mateo¿Ves ese carril bici de color rojo?Do you see that red bike lane?
- MaríaSí, Mateo, es muy largo.Yes, Mateo, it is very long.
- MateoEs perfecto para pasear en bicicleta.It is perfect for riding a bicycle.
- MaríaTienes razón, vamos por allí.You are right, let's go that way.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bici, carril, CC BY-SA 4.0.
