carrera
/kaˈreɾa/feminine
The Spanish word for the English phrase race is carrera.
carrera is used to refer to a contest. It is also used to mean a career or an academic degree/major.
Meaning: contest (noun)
Which one should you use?
While carrera refers to the contest itself, the verb correr is used to describe the act of running or participating in the race. Related verbs meaning to move or drive at high speed include acelerarse, embalarse and carrerear, while correr and rolear mean to take part in a race.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, the term etnia may be used to refer to race or ethnicity. In Mexico and Argentina, the word raza can refer to a group of people sharing a particular nationality or culture.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
Because carrera is a feminine noun, you must use the definite article la (la carrera) instead of the masculine el.
How do you pronounce it?
/kaˈreɾa/
Did you know?
- In certain regions, the phrase correrse can have very different, often vulgar, meanings compared to the neutral act of running in a carrera.
- The word carrera shares a common ancestor with the English word 'career', as both originate from the Latin word for a chariot or wagon.
- In Spanish, when someone is pursuing a university degree, they are said to be studying a carrera. This frames higher education as a 'race' or a path toward a goal.
Examples in context
- Tom ganó la carrera.Tom won the race.This sentence shows how to say someone won the race.Tatoeba #1386563 by marcelostockle, translation #682441 by Source_VOA
- La carrera ha terminado.The race is over.This sentence is useful for saying the race has finished.Tatoeba #1535459 by marcelostockle, translation #1389243 by CM
- Él participó en la carrera.He took part in the race.This sentence shows how to say someone participated in the race.Tatoeba #1398551 by marcelostockle, translation #290564 by CK
- La discusión acerca de la raza y la igualdad de oportunidades es fundamental en nuestra sociedad.The discussion about race and equal opportunities is fundamental in our society.
- No deberíamos juzgar a las personas por su color de piel, todos somos iguales.We shouldn't judge people by their skin color, we are all equal.
- En México valoramos y respetamos la diversidad de etnias que conforman nuestra sociedad.In Mexico, we value and respect the diversity of races/ethnicities that make up our society.
- Todas las personas merecen ser tratadas con dignidad, sin importar su origen étnico.All people deserve to be treated with dignity regardless of their ethnic background.
- Ella tiene el pelo rizado y los ojos oscuros, su belleza es única y refleja su herencia cultural.She has curly hair and dark eyes, her beauty is unique and reflects her cultural heritage.
- 68 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Javier and Sofía are talking about a local running event.
- Javier¿Vas a participar en la carrera?Are you going to participate in the race?
- SofíaSí, la carrera es el próximo domingo.Yes, the race is next Sunday.
- JavierEspero que sea una carrera divertida.I hope it is a fun race.
- SofíaSeguro que sí, Javier.I'm sure it will be, Javier.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “race” translations and entries carrera, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries carrera, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
