caravana
/kaɾaˈbana/
The Spanish word for caravan is caravana.
caravana is polysemous and can refer to two different things: a towed mobile home (a caravan) or a group of travelers or vehicles moving together (a caravan).
Meaning: vehicle (noun)
Which one should you use?
While caravana can mean a towed caravan, in many Spanish-speaking regions, a motorized vehicle used for camping is more commonly called an autocaravana.
How do you pronounce it?
/kaɾaˈbana/
Did you know?
- Because of its Persian origins, caravana shares a linguistic lineage with the English word 'caravan', making them cognates despite the different paths they took through French.
- In some Latin American countries, caravana is the standard term for a celebratory parade of cars, often used by political candidates or sports fans to flood the streets.
- The term can be used metaphorically in Spanish to describe a long, slow-moving line of people, such as a 'caravana de manifestantes' during a protest.
Examples in context
- Él enganchó la caravana a su vehículo.He hitched the caravan to his car.This sentence shows how to use caravana when describing hitching a vehicle.Tatoeba #4440275 by ponisio7, translation #2674694 by merlin
- Viven en una caravana.They live in a caravan.This sentence shows the use of caravana to describe where people live.Tatoeba #9750457 by BilalBouy, translation #9493935 by sundown
- Una caravana de cincuenta camellos avanzaba lentamente por el desierto.A caravan of fifty camels slowly made its way through the desert.This sentence demonstrates the use of caravana to describe a group of camels moving through a desert.Tatoeba #696934 by darinmex, translation #696933 by darinmex
- Me gustaría alquilar una casa rodante para nuestras vacaciones en la costa.I would like to rent a caravan for our vacation on the coast.
- Voy a comprar una autocaravana para viajar por Sudamérica.I am going to buy a motorhome to travel through South America.
- ¡La caravana que vimos en la playa era enorme!The caravan we saw on the beach was enormous!
Example conversation
Mateo and Sofía are discussing their upcoming camping trip.
- MateoLa caravana es muy cómoda.The caravan is very comfortable.
- SofíaSí, es ideal para viajar.Yes, it is ideal for traveling.
- Mateo¿Debo revisar la caravana hoy?Should I check the caravan today?
- SofíaSí, Mateo, por favor.Yes, Mateo, please.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry caravana, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries caravana, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
