señales de alto
/seɲales de alto/from spelling rules
The English phrase "stop signs" is translated into Spanish as señales de alto.
This phrase refers to road signs that instruct drivers that they must come to a complete stop.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of señales (signs) and de alto (of stop/halt).
Which one should you use?
While señales de alto is a common way to refer to these signs, other regions use different phrasing such as señales de pare.
Is it said differently in some regions?
señales de alto is the standard way to refer to stop signs in Mexico and parts of Central America. In many South American countries, such as Argentina, Chile and Colombia, the phrase señales de pare is more commonly used. In these regions, the word pare is the imperative form of the verb parar (to stop) and is used on the road signs themselves.
How do you pronounce it?
/seɲales de alto/
Did you know?
- The word alto in the phrase is a learned borrowing from the Latin altus, which also means 'high' or 'tall'.
- In Mexico, the command ¡Alto! is used by police to tell someone to freeze, mirroring the language found on road signs.
- In some regional Spanish place names, you may encounter the archaic form oto instead of the standard alto used for stop signs today.
Examples in context
- Ten cuidado con las señales de alto.Be careful with the stop signs.
- Hay muchas señales de alto en esta zona.There are many stop signs in this area.
- Debes respetar las señales de alto.You must respect the stop signs.
- No veo las señales de alto desde aquí.I can't see the stop signs from here.
Example conversation
Elena and Javier are driving through a new neighborhood.
- ElenaJavier, ten cuidado con las señales de alto.Javier, be careful with the stop signs.
- JavierSí, las vi hace un momento.Yes, I saw them a moment ago.
- ElenaEs que este barrio es muy confuso.It's just that this neighborhood is very confusing.
- JavierTienes razón, Elena.You are right, Elena.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries alto, de, CC BY-SA 4.0.
