chupar rueda
/t͡ʃupaɾ ɾweda/from spelling rules
The English verb 'tailgate' is translated into Spanish as chupar rueda. Wiktionary also lists conducir pegado a and conducir muy cerca de otro vehículo.
Meaning: drive dangerously close behind another vehicle (verb)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| chupar rueda | /t͡ʃupaɾ ɾweda/ (from spelling rules) |
| conducir pegado a | /konduθiɾ peɡado a/ (Spain, from spelling rules) /kondusiɾ peɡado a/ (Latin America, from spelling rules) |
| conducir muy cerca de otro vehículo | /konduθiɾ mui θeɾka de otɾo beikulo/ (Spain, from spelling rules) /kondusiɾ mui seɾka de otɾo beikulo/ (Latin America, from spelling rules) |
| conducir sin distancia de seguridad | /konduθiɾ sin distanθja de seɡuɾidad/ (Spain, from spelling rules) /kondusiɾ sin distansja de seɡuɾidad/ (Latin America, from spelling rules) |
The phrase describes the act of driving dangerously close behind another vehicle. While the related noun for a vehicle's rear hatch is puerta trasera, the verb forms focus on the driving behavior.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase chupar rueda literally translates to 'to suck the wheel'.
Which one should you use?
Chupar rueda is an idiomatic expression, whereas conducir pegado a is a more neutral and descriptive way to say 'to drive close to'. Other descriptive variations include conducir muy cerca de otro vehículo and conducir sin distancia de seguridad.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Chupar rueda is a colloquial way to describe tailgating.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
/tʃupaɾ ɾweda/
Did you know?
- The colloquialism chupar rueda is actually borrowed from the world of competitive cycling, where riders stay extremely close to a leader to 'suck' their draft and save energy.
- The word pegado, used in the phrase conducir pegado a, is a linguistic relative of the English word 'pitched', specifically in the sense of being 'smeared or covered with pitch'.
- While chupar rueda describes the behavior, Spanish uses the phrase distancia de seguridad to describe the legal 'safe distance' required between cars.
Examples in context
- El tailgating es una tradición en muchos eventos deportivos donde se comparten platos y tragos con amigos antes del partido.Tailgating is a tradition at many sporting events where friends share food and drinks before the game.
Example conversation
Sofía and Javier are driving in a car.
- SofíaMira ese coche, nos quiere chupar rueda.Look at that car, he wants to tailgate us.
- JavierSí, está conduciendo demasiado cerca.Yes, he is driving too close.
- SofíaVoy a cambiar de carril ahora.I'm going to change lanes now.
- JavierBuena idea, Javier, así evitamos un accidente.Good idea, Javier, that way we avoid an accident.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “tailgate” translations and entries chupar rueda, 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 a, cerca, chupar, conducir, muy, pegado, rueda, CC BY-SA 4.0.
