carrera de relevos
/kareɾa de ɾelebos/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'relay race' is translated into Spanish as carrera de relevos.
A relay race is a sports contest where teammates pass an object, known as a testigo (baton), to one another during the competition. You can also use the standalone term relevos to refer to the race itself.
Meaning: sports contest (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase carrera de relevos literally means 'race of relays', composed of carrera (race) and relevos (relays).
Which one should you use?
While carrera de relevos is the standard term, you may encounter Competencia de relevos in more formal contexts. You can also simply say relevos to refer to the event.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Argentina and Uruguay, the term carrera de postas is used to describe a relay race.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the plural 'relay races', you pluralize the first noun to create carreras de relevos.
How do you pronounce it?
/kareɾa de ɾelebos/
Did you know?
- The baton in a carrera de relevos is called a testigo, which translates literally as 'witness'. This implies the baton 'witnesses' the transfer of responsibility between runners.
- The word carrera shares a common ancestor with the English word 'career'. Both stem from the Latin word for a 'chariot' or 'running vehicle'.
- The word relevo comes from the verb relevar, which is also used in military contexts to describe 'relieving' a guard at their post.
Examples in context
- En una carrera de relevos los compañeros de un mismo equipo se pasan un testigo, u otro objeto similar, de unos a otros. Cambiando de manos en cada punto de parada.In a relay race, a baton or something similar is passed from one teammate to another as they reach each checkpoint.This sentence describes how teammates pass a testigo during a carrera de relevos.Tatoeba #10009425 by swyter, translation #9479589 by DJ_Saidez
- Vamos a participar en una carrera de postas esta tardeWe're going to participate in a relay race this afternoon
- Habrá una competencia de relevos en el colegio mañanaThere will be a relay race competition at school tomorrow
- El equipo ganó la prueba de relevos en el campeonato nacionalThe team won the relay race at the national championship
- Mañana tengo una carrera de relevos en la escuela.Tomorrow I have a relay race at school.
- Ganamos la medalla de oro en la carrera de relevos.We won the gold medal in the relay race.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about their sports activities at the stadium.
- Alejandro¿Vas a participar en la carrera de relevos hoy?Are you participating in the relay race today?
- SofíaSí, Alejandro, estoy muy nerviosa por la competencia.Yes, Alejandro, I am very nervous about the competition.
- AlejandroNo te preocupes, Sofía, lo harás genial.Don't worry, Sofía, you will do great.
- SofíaGracias, espero que mi equipo corra rápido.Thanks, I hope my team runs fast.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “relay race” translations and entries carrera de relevos, 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 carrera, de, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
