baches
/bat͡ʃes/from spelling rules
The English phrase "pot holes" is translated into Spanish as baches.
The term refers to deep holes in the surface of a road caused by wear or weather.
Which one should you use?
While baches is the standard term, you might use Hoyos en el pavimento to specifically describe holes on the pavement. For a more playful or hyperbolic description of particularly large and deep pot holes, you can use Cráteres.
How does it change in a sentence?
The singular form of the phrase is bache.
How do you pronounce it?
/batʃes/
Did you know?
- In some Spanish speaking countries, the word bache is used metaphorically to describe a 'rut' or a difficult period in someone's life or career.
- Using cráteres to describe baches is a common form of social irony in Latin American cities to criticize poor infrastructure by comparing streets to the moon.
- The word bache is transformed into the verb bachear, which specifically means the act of filling in potholes to repair a road.
Examples in context
- La vía presenta muchos baches, deberían repararla.The road has many pot holes, they should fix it.
- Hay muchos baches en esta calle.There are many potholes in this street.
- Ten cuidado con los baches de la carretera.Be careful with the potholes on the highway.
- Los baches dañaron la llanta de mi coche.The potholes damaged my car's tire.
Example conversation
Lucía and Mateo are driving in a car.
- Lucía¿Viste todos esos baches?Did you see all those potholes?
- MateoSí, son muy peligrosos.Yes, they are very dangerous.
- LucíaDeben arreglar la calle pronto.They should fix the street soon.
- MateoTienes razón, Lucía.You are right, Lucía.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
