accidente de tráfico
/aɡθidente de tɾafiko/from spelling rules
In Spanish, a car accident is translated as accidente de tráfico.
This phrase refers to an incident in which a vehicle crashes or collides with another vehicle or object.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase accidente de tráfico is composed of accidente (accident), de (of) and tráfico (traffic).
Which one should you use?
While accidente de tráfico is a general term for any type of traffic incident, the term choque specifically implies a physical impact between vehicles.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In many Latin American countries, accidente de tránsito is more commonly used than accidente de tráfico. Additionally, accidente de carro is an informal expression frequently heard in Latin American countries.
How do you pronounce it?
/aɡθidente de tɾafiko/
Did you know?
- While accidente is used for crashes, the word siniestro is often used by insurance companies and police in Spain to describe a car accident.
- Spanish speakers may use the phrase tener un percance to describe a minor car mishap to avoid the heavy negative weight of the word accidente.
- The word tráfico was borrowed into Spanish from the Italian word traffico.
Examples in context
- Lo mataron en un accidente de tráfico.He was killed in a car accident.This sentence is useful for describing a fatality in an accidente de tráfico.Tatoeba #1518968 by wallebot, translation #298503 by CK
- Tom no murió en un accidente de tráfico.Tom didn't die in a car accident.This sentence is useful for stating that someone did not die in an accidente de tráfico.Tatoeba #5698926 by arh, translation #5698253 by CK
- Hubo un accidente de tráfico ayer.There was a car accident yesterday.This sentence is useful for reporting that an accidente de tráfico occurred yesterday.Tatoeba #1287158 by enteka, translation #63290 by CK
- Hoy presencié un accidente de tránsito en la autopista.Today I witnessed a car accident on the highway.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alejandro is telling María why he was late arriving at her house.
- María¿Por qué llegas tan tarde, Alejandro?Why are you so late, Alejandro?
- AlejandroLo siento, María, hubo un accidente de tráfico.I'm sorry, María, there was a car accident.
- María¡Qué mala suerte! ¿Estás bien?What bad luck! Are you okay?
- AlejandroSí, solo fue un susto.Yes, it was just a scare.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries accidente, de, tráfico, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
