drenaje
neutral, Mexico
In Mexico the sewer system is called drenaje. The underground channel or its opening in the street is alcantarilla, and a street drain is often a coladera.
Meaning: underground channel for wastewater (noun)
Ways to say it
| Mexican | Note |
|---|---|
| drenaje | neutral, Mexico |
| alcantarilla | neutral |
| coladera | Mexico, street drain |
Mexicans say el drenaje está tapado when pipes are blocked and agua y drenaje for water and sewer services.
Which one should you use?
Alcantarilla is the general word across Spanish. Drenaje is the one people in Mexico use first for the whole system.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Coladera is the grate or drain in the street or floor. The word cloaca exists but is less common in everyday Mexican speech.
Did you know?
- The Spanish word alcantarilla comes from the Arabic al-qantara, meaning bridge or arch.
Examples in context
- El drenaje se tapó con la lluvia.The sewer got blocked with the rain.
- Cuidado con la alcantarilla abierta.Careful with the open sewer.
- Limpiaron la coladera de la calle.They cleaned the street drain.
Example conversation
Don Pedro and his neighbor Carmen talk about the flooded street after a storm in Veracruz.
- Don PedroCarmen, se tapó el drenaje otra vez.Carmen, the sewer is blocked again.
- CarmenSí, la coladera ya no jala el agua.Yes, the drain no longer takes the water.
- Don PedroVoy a llamar al municipio.I will call the city office.
