intermitente
/inteɾmitente/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'blinker' can be translated into Spanish as intermitente.
The term refers to a flashing light on a vehicle used to indicate a turn or a lane change. When you want to say 'to use the blinker' or 'to signal', Spanish speakers commonly use the verb poner with intermitente, as in poner el intermitente.
What does it mean word for word?
The word intermitente is an adjective meaning 'intermittent', which refers to the flashing nature of the light.
Which one should you use?
intermitencia can also be used to refer to the blinker.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Argentina or Uruguay, you may hear the term luz de giro. The phrase luces de giro is a common alternative used in several Spanish-speaking countries to describe turn lights. In some Latin American regions, guiño is used colloquially to refer to the turn signal.
How does it change in a sentence?
As a noun, intermitente is typically used in the feminine plural form, las intermitentes, when referring to the lights on a car.
How do you pronounce it?
/inteɾmitente/
Did you know?
- While intermitente describes the light, the colloquial term guiño literally means 'wink'. This frames the car's signal as a playful or secretive gesture to other drivers.
- In some contexts, intermitente is used to describe a type of sporadic employment contract in Spain known as contrato intermitente.
- The term intermitente traces its roots back to the Latin 'intermittentem'. This connects the modern car part directly to a classical linguistic pattern describing something that stops and starts at intervals.
Examples in context
- Por favor, encienda su intermitente antes de cambiar de carrilPlease turn on your blinker before changing lanes.
- Recuerda usar la luz de giro al girar a la derechaRemember to use your blinker when turning right.
- No se te olvide poner la intermitencia al cambiar de carrilDon't forget to use your blinker when changing lanes.
- Recuerda utilizar el intermitente al cambiar de carril.Remember to use the blinker when changing lanes.
- No te olvides de encender la luz de giro cuando dobles en la próxima esquina.Don't forget to turn on the blinker when you turn at the next corner.
- Es importante utilizar la intermitencia en las rotondas.It is important to use the blinker in roundabouts.
- El intermitente izquierdo no funciona.The left blinker is not working.
- Pon el intermitente antes de girar.Put on the blinker before turning.
- No encendió el intermitente para cambiar de carril.He didn't turn on the blinker to change lanes.
Example conversation
Elena and Mateo are in a car together.
- ElenaMateo, pon el intermitente para girar.Mateo, use the blinker to turn.
- MateoLo siento, se me olvidó.I'm sorry, I forgot.
- ElenaEs peligroso conducir sin el intermitente.It is dangerous to drive without the blinker.
- MateoTienes razón, pondré más atención.You are right, I will pay more attention.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries intermitente, CC BY-SA 4.0.
