Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| conductor de autobús | /konduɡtoɾ de autobus/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
| autobusero | /autobuˈseɾo/ | masculine |
| guagüero | /ɡwaˈɡweɾo/ | masculine |
The term refers to a person employed to drive buses.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase conductor de autobús literally translates to 'driver of bus', consisting of conductor (driver/conductor), de (of) and autobús (bus).
Which one should you use?
While conductor de autobús is the standard term, you may encounter autobusero or the regional term guagüero.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Conductor de autobús is the standard, formal way to refer to a bus driver.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Argentina, the term colectivero is occasionally used to refer to a bus driver. In certain Caribbean dialects, such as in Puerto Rico, the term guagüero is used.
How does it change in a sentence?
All forms provided are masculine. To refer to a female bus driver, change the masculine noun conductor to the feminine conductora, resulting in conductora de autobús.
How do you pronounce it?
/konduɡtoɾ de autobus/
Did you know?
- In the Caribbean, a bus driver is called a guagüero because the word for bus is guagua, which is believed to be an adaptation of the English word 'wagon'.
- While conductor refers to the person driving the vehicle, it is the same word used for a musical 'conductor' who leads an orchestra.
- The Spanish word conductor is a cognate of the English 'conductor', but in its earliest Latin roots, it referred to a 'contractor' or 'employer' rather than someone who leads or drives.
Examples in context
- Es conductor de autobús.He is a bus driver.This sentence is useful for identifying a person's profession using conductor de autobús.Tatoeba #1037626 by Shishir, translation #292404 by CK
- Mi padre es conductor de autobús.My father is a bus driver.Tatoeba #8970633 by Shishir, translation #2584486 by CM
- ¿Mary vive al lado del conductor de autobús con el que trabajó John?Does Mary live next door to the bus driver who John worked with?This sentence is useful for describing a relationship to a specific person using conductor de autobús.Tatoeba #2192825 by wallebot, translation #1042589 by GPHemsley
- Le agradezco mucho, señor conductor de autobúsThank you very much, bus driver.
- Oye, chofer, ¿a qué hora llegamos?Hey, bus driver, what time do we arrive?
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alejandro and Elena are waiting at a bus stop.
- AlejandroHola, ¿sabes si el conductor de autobús llega pronto?Hello, do you know if the bus driver is arriving soon?
- ElenaCreo que tiene un retraso hoy.I think he is running late today.
- AlejandroEl conductor de autobús siempre es puntual.The bus driver is always punctual.
- ElenaTienes razón, debe haber tráfico.You are right, there must be traffic.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “bus driver” translations and entries autobusero, guagüero, 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 autobusero, autobús, conductor, de, guagüero, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
