tocar la bocina
/tokaɾ la boθina/from spelling rules
To honk in Spanish is to say tocar la bocina. Wiktionary also lists pitar and tocar el claxon.
Meaning: to use a car horn (verb)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| tocar la bocina | /tokaɾ la boθina/ (Spain, from spelling rules) /tokaɾ la bosina/ (Latin America, from spelling rules) |
|
| pitar | /piˈtaɾ/ | |
| tocar el claxon | /tokaɾ el klaɡson/ (from spelling rules) | |
| dar un bocinazo | /daɾ un boθinaθo/ (Spain, from spelling rules) /daɾ un bosinaso/ (Latin America, from spelling rules) |
|
| bocinar | /boθiˈnaɾ/ /bosiˈnaɾ/ |
|
| fotutear | /fotuteaɾ/ (from spelling rules) | Cuba |
| bocinear | /boθineaɾ/ (Spain, from spelling rules) /bosineaɾ/ (Latin America, from spelling rules) |
Bolivia |
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase tocar la bocina is built from the verb tocar (to touch or play an instrument) and la bocina (the horn).
Which one should you use?
While tocar la bocina is a general way to say honk, dar un bocinazo implies a single, loud or sudden honk. Additionally, claxon is a common synonym for bocina when referring to a car horn, as seen in tocar el claxon.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Pitar is a more colloquial and common way to say 'to honk' in many Spanish-speaking countries compared to the more formal tocar la bocina.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, pitar is the most common way to say honk. In Cuba, you may use fotutear and in Bolivia, the verb bocinear is used specifically to mean honking.
How do you pronounce it?
/tokaɾ la boθina/
Did you know?
- The word claxon is actually a loanword from the English brand name 'Klaxon', which was a company that manufactured early loud horns.
- In some Latin American cultures, a short series of honks is used as a friendly greeting between drivers, whereas in other places it is strictly a warning.
Examples in context
- Por favor, toque la bocina para advertir a los demás conductoresPlease honk to alert other drivers
- No olvide hacer sonar la bocina al ingresar al garajeDon't forget to honk when entering the garage
- ¡Pita cuando llegues a mi casa!Honk when you arrive at my house!
- Si alguien se cruza en tu camino mientras conduces, ¡toca el claxon!If someone crosses your path while you're driving, honk!
- Él decidió tocar la bocina para avisar.He decided to honk to warn us.
Example conversation
Daniel and María are driving in a busy street.
- Daniel¿Por qué vas a tocar la bocina?Why are you going to honk?
- MaríaEl coche de adelante no avanza.The car in front isn't moving.
- DanielNo hace falta tocar la bocina ahora.It is not necessary to honk now.
- MaríaEs que estoy muy desesperada.It's just that I am very desperate.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “honk” translations and entries pitar, bocinar, 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 bocina, claxon, el, la, pitar, tocar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
