What does it mean word for word?
The word atropellado comes from the verb atropellar, which specifically means to run over or strike with a vehicle.
Which one should you use?
The term for 'car' changes depending on the region. In Spain, coche is more commonly used than auto and in many parts of Latin America, carro is more common than auto.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Regional variations include: • In Spain, you can say Me atropelló un coche. or use the form atropellado por un coche. • In Mexico, you can say Me pegó un carro. • In Argentina, you can say Me chocó un auto. • In Colombia, you can say Un carro me arrolló.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective atropellado must agree in gender and number with the person or people who were hit. Use atropellado por un auto for a masculine singular subject, atropellada por un auto for a feminine singular subject, atropellados por un auto for a masculine plural subject and atropelladas por un auto for a feminine plural subject.
How do you pronounce it?
/atɾopeʝado poɾ un auto/
Did you know?
- In colloquial Mexican Spanish, the phrase me pegó un carro literally means 'a car hit me', using a verb that usually means 'to glue' or 'to stick'.
- Beyond traffic accidents, the verb atropellar is used to describe someone who does things in a rushed and chaotic manner, as if they are 'running over' their own tasks.
- While atropellado describes being hit by a car, the related word tropel refers to a confused, noisy crowd or a stampede of animals.
Examples in context
- Fui atropellado por un coche mientras cruzaba la calle el martes pasado, y me lastimé la pierna.I was hit by a car while crossing the street last Tuesday, and I hurt my leg.
- El perro fue atropellado por un auto.The dog was hit by a car.
- No quiero ser atropellado por un auto.I don't want to be hit by a car.
- El ciclista fue atropellado por un auto ayer.The cyclist was hit by a car yesterday.
Example conversation
Lucía is asking Alejandro about a news report.
- Alejandro¿Viste la noticia sobre el accidente?Did you see the news about the accident?
- LucíaNo, ¿qué pasó?No, what happened?
- AlejandroUn hombre fue atropellado por un auto.A man was hit by a car.
- Lucía¡Qué horror! Espero que esté bien.How horrible! I hope he is okay.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
