cambiar de carril
/kambjaɾ de karil/from spelling rules
The phrase "switch lanes" in Spanish is cambiar de carril.
cambiar de carril is the standard way to express the action of moving a vehicle from one marked lane to another while driving on a road.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the verb cambiar (to change), the preposition de (of) and the noun carril (lane).
How does it change in a sentence?
To indicate a completed action of switching lanes in the past, you can use the third-person singular preterite form cambió de carril, which means "he/she switched lanes".
Did you know?
- The verb cambiar is not originally from Latin but has roots in Gaulish, an ancient Celtic language spoken in Western Europe.
- The word carril is used in Spanish to describe the physical rail or track that a train follows, as well as a highway lane.
- In certain Spanish-speaking areas, the word carril might refer to a narrow drainage channel or an irrigation ditch instead of a road lane.
Examples in context
- Disculpe, ¿puede cambiar de carril?Excuse me, can you switch lanes?
- Por favor, asegúrese de señalizar al cambiar de carril.Please make sure to signal when changing lanes.
- Oye, muévete de carril que voy a adelantar.Hey, switch lanes, I'm going to overtake.
- ¡Pásate a otro carril, compadre!Switch lanes, buddy!
- Ten cuidado al cambiar de carril.Be careful when switching lanes.
- Tienes que cambiar de carril para girar.You have to switch lanes to turn.
- Es peligroso cambiar de carril en la autopista.It is dangerous to switch lanes on the highway.
Example conversation
Elena and Alejandro are driving in a car during heavy traffic.
- ElenaNo puedo adelantar si no cambio de carril.I can't overtake if I don't switch lanes.
- AlejandroTen cuidado al cambiar de carril, Elena.Be careful when switching lanes, Elena.
- ElenaVoy a cambiar de carril ahora.I am going to switch lanes now.
- AlejandroEstá bien, el carril de la izquierda está libre.It's okay, the left lane is clear.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cambiar, carril, de, CC BY-SA 4.0.
