Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| ruta | /ˈruta/ | feminine |
| itinerario | /itineˈɾaɾjo/ | masculine |
When you want to describe a course or a way traveled, you can use ruta or itinerario. In technical contexts such as computing or the internet, the related verb enrutar is used to mean sending information via a router or connecting two LANs. If you need to talk about an escape route, use the phrase ruta de escape.
Which one should you use?
Use ruta to refer to a physical path, a road or a specific track being followed. In contrast, use itinerario when you are referring to a planned schedule or a detailed list of stops and times for a journey.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
Ruta is a feminine noun. Its plural form is las rutas. Itinerario is a masculine noun. Its plural form is los itinerarios.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈruta/
When do people say it?
If you are traveling and need directions, you can use the phrase ¿Cómo llego a…? to ask how to get to a specific destination.
Did you know?
- The word ruta actually traces back to the Latin phrase via rupta, which literally translates to a 'broken' road. This originally described a path that had been 'broken' through a wilderness or carved out of the landscape.
- In Spain, the phrase hacer ruta is often used as a specific term for the hobby of hiking or trekking in nature, rather than just following a path.
- If you ask for a ruta in a Spanish-speaking city, you might be directed to a specific metro or bus line rather than a physical street or road.
Examples in context
- ¿Puedo cambiar de ruta?Can I change the route?This sentence is useful for asking about changing a ruta.Tatoeba #8955990 by emigonza, translation #326322 by CM
- Conozco una ruta más corta.I know a shorter route.This sentence is useful for mentioning a shorter ruta.Tatoeba #4398197 by pchamorro, translation #2375836 by CK
- Es la ruta más corta a París.It's the shortest route to Paris.This sentence is useful for describing the shortest ruta to a destination.Tatoeba #1771600 by Shishir, translation #1537882 by Scott
- ¿Cuál es la ruta más rápida para llegar al centro?What is the fastest route to downtown?
- El recorrido turístico dura aproximadamente dos horasThe tourist route lasts about two hours
- Por favor, muéstrame el itinerario del autobúsPlease show me the bus route
- ¿Cuál es el camino más fácil para llegar a tu casa?What is the easiest route to your house?
- ¿Cuál es la vía más rápida para llegar al trabajo?What is the fastest route to get to work?
- ¿Cómo llego a la estación de tren?How do I get to the train station?
- Toma la primera calle a la derechaTake the first street on the right
- ¿Hay otra ruta para evitar el tráfico?Is there another route to avoid traffic?
- ¿Conoces otro camino para llegar allí?Do you know another way to get there?
- Sigue derecho hasta el finalGo straight until the end
- Toma la segunda salida a la izquierdaTake the second exit on the left
- Dobla a la derecha en la próxima intersecciónTurn right at the next intersection
- 7 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mateo and Elena are looking at a map before a road trip.
- MateoEsta ruta es muy bonita.This route is very beautiful.
- ElenaSí, pero es muy larga.Yes, but it is very long.
- Mateo¿Prefieres otra ruta, Elena?Do you prefer another route, Elena?
- ElenaNo, me gusta esta.No, I like this one.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “route” translations and entries ruta, itinerario, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries itinerario, ruta, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
