caballos de fuerza
/kabaʝos de fweɾθa/from spelling rules
The English phrase horsepower is translated into Spanish as caballos de fuerza.
caballos de fuerza is a common way to express the measurement of horsepower in Spanish.
Meaning: strength (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of caballos (horses), de (of) and fuerza (force).
Which one should you use?
The singular form caballo de fuerza is used when referring to a single unit of horsepower. While caballos de fuerza is the standard term, the abbreviation CV (caballos de vapor) is often used as a synonym in technical contexts or automotive specifications in many Spanish-speaking countries.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
caballos de fuerza is a common and formal way to express the term. In many Spanish-speaking countries, you might hear the informal shortened version caballos used to refer to horsepower. In technical or automotive settings, CV is the preferred technical designation.
How do you pronounce it?
/kabaʝos de fweɾθa/
Did you know?
- In Spanish, the abbreviation CV stands for caballos de vapor, which translates to 'steam horses'. This reflects the term's origin in the era of steam engines rather than the general 'force' implied by caballos de fuerza.
- The word fuerza comes from the Latin word fortis, meaning 'strong'. This is the same root that gives English the words 'fort', 'fortify' and 'fortitude'.
- While caballos de fuerza is widely understood, a person in Spain is more likely to use the term potencia to describe a car's horsepower in a general conversation.
Examples in context
- El coche de Tom tiene 100 caballos de fuerza.Tom's car has 100 horsepower.This sentence is useful for demonstrating how to use caballos de fuerza when stating the power of a vehicle.Tatoeba #1390183 by alexmarcelo, translation #1389910 by Spamster
- Este motor tiene muchos caballos de fuerza.This engine has a lot of horsepower.
- Necesito saber los caballos de fuerza del tractor.I need to know the tractor's horsepower.
Example conversation
María and Javier are looking at a car engine in a garage.
- María¿Sabes cuántos caballos de fuerza tiene este coche?Do you know how many horsepower this car has?
- JavierCreo que tiene trescientos caballos de fuerza.I think it has three hundred horsepower.
- María¡Es un motor muy potente, Javier!It is a very powerful engine, Javier!
- JavierSí, tiene mucha fuerza.Yes, it has a lot of strength.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries de, fuerza, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
