topadora
/topadoɾa/from spelling rulesfeminine
The Spanish word for bulldozer is topadora. It is also spelled bulldozer. Wiktionary also lists buldócer.
Meaning: tractor (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| topadora | /topadoɾa/ (from spelling rules) | feminine |
| bulldozer | /bulˈdoθeɾ/ /bulˈdoseɾ/ |
masculine, alternative form |
| buldócer | /bulˈdoθeɾ/ /bulˈdoseɾ/ |
masculine |
While topadora is a native Spanish term, buldócer is a common anglicism used widely in construction and heavy machinery contexts.
Which one should you use?
The term topadora is a feminine noun, whereas the anglicized forms buldócer and bulldozer are masculine.
How do you pronounce it?
/topadoɾa/
Did you know?
- In casual speech, the term topadora is sometimes used metaphorically to describe a person who pushes through obstacles with brute force.
- The word topadora comes from the verb topar, which means to hit or bump into something. It literally describes a machine that pushes things out of its way.
- While bulldozer is an English word, Spanish speakers often add an accent mark to create buldócer to match Spanish stress rules.
Examples in context
- ¡Mira ese buldócer tan grande!Look at that huge bulldozer!
- ¿Sabes si tienen una topadora para alquilar?Do you know if they have a bulldozer for rent?
- Sí, en esa empresa de maquinaria pesada alquilan topadoras.Yes, they rent bulldozers in that heavy machinery company.
- La topadora es muy grande.The bulldozer is very large.
- Necesitamos una topadora para el terreno.We need a bulldozer for the terrain.
- El conductor de la topadora trabaja mucho.The bulldozer driver works a lot.
Example conversation
At a construction site, two workers discuss the machinery.
- Lucía¿Dónde está la topadora?Where is the bulldozer?
- AlejandroLa topadora está al final de la obra.The bulldozer is at the end of the site.
- LucíaGracias, Alejandro.Thanks, Alejandro.
- AlejandroDe nada, Lucía.You're welcome, Lucía.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “bulldozer” translations and entries topadora, bulldozer, buldócer, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries buldócer, bulldozer, topadora, CC BY-SA 4.0.
