claxon
/klaɡson/from spelling rules
The Spanish phrase for car horn is claxon.
claxon refers to the device in a vehicle that makes a loud noise to warn other drivers or pedestrians. While claxon is used, the phrase tocar la bocina is a very common way to express the action of honking a horn.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In many Latin American countries, bocina is the more common term for the car horn than claxon.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun claxon can be turned into the verb claxonear, which means to honk or sound the horn.
How do you pronounce it?
/klaɡson/
Did you know?
- The word claxon is actually a brand name that became a generic term, similar to how 'Kleenex' is used for tissues. It originally referred to a specific type of electro-magnetic horn invented in the United States.
- The word bocina shares its root with boca, meaning 'mouth'. This reflects the device's function as the 'mouth' or voice of the vehicle.
- While tocar la bocina is common, in some regions you might hear pitar, which comes from the word for a whistle.
Examples in context
- Tom oyó sonar un claxon.Tom heard a car horn beep.This sentence shows how to use claxon to describe hearing a horn beep.Tatoeba #2169347 by marcelostockle, translation #1884495 by CK
- El conductor hizo sonar el cláxon para advertir a los peatones.The driver honked the car horn to warn the pedestrians.
- Por favor, no uses la bocina innecesariamente.Please don't use the car horn unnecessarily.
- ¿Por qué no funcionaba el claxoncito de tu carro?Why didn't the little horn of your car work?
- El claxonazo del camión nos asustó a todos.The honk of the truck scared us all.
- El conductor tocó el claxon para avisar.The driver honked the horn to warn.
- No me gusta el ruido de ese claxon.I don't like the sound of that horn.
Example conversation
Alejandro and María are walking near a busy street.
- Alejandro¿Escuchaste ese claxon tan fuerte?Did you hear that loud horn?
- MaríaSí, Alejandro, me asustó mucho.Yes, Alejandro, it scared me a lot.
- AlejandroParece que hubo un accidente.It looks like there was an accident.
- MaríaTengamos cuidado al cruzar la calle.Let's be careful when crossing the street.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries claxon, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
