If you’re learning Spanish or find yourself in a Spanish-speaking country, knowing how to say “toll” can be quite useful. Whether you need information on the formal or informal ways to express this term, this guide has got you covered. In this article, we’ll cover the various ways to say “toll” in Spanish, provide tips and examples, and explore any necessary regional variations. Let’s get started!
Table of Contents
Formal Ways to Say Toll in Spanish
When it comes to formal contexts, such as official signage or formal conversations, you can use the following phrases to indicate a toll in Spanish:
- Paso de peaje – This is the most straightforward and standard way to refer to a toll. It effectively translates to “toll crossing” or “toll passage” and is widely understood across Spanish-speaking regions.
- Cobro de peaje – This phrase emphasizes the monetary aspect of the toll, as it translates to “toll collection” or “toll fee.” It is commonly used in official documents or formal conversations.
- Estación de peaje – This term specifically refers to a toll station or toll booth. It implies a physical location where the toll is collected, often on highways or roads.
It’s worth noting that these formal expressions are generally used uniformly across Spanish-speaking countries without significant regional variations.
Informal Ways to Say Toll in Spanish
For more casual or everyday situations, there are various colloquial phrases you can use to say “toll” in Spanish. These expressions are commonly employed in conversational language:
- Peaje – This is the most common and widely understood way to say “toll” in Spanish, used in both formal and informal contexts. It is a straightforward translation of the English term.
- Peajito – Adding the diminutive “-ito” ending to “peaje” creates a more affectionate and informal way to say “toll.” This variation is particularly common in certain regions, such as Latin America.
- Caseta de cobro – In some countries, especially Mexico and Central American countries, this term is used to refer to a toll booth. It focuses on the concept of a collection booth or kiosk where the toll is paid.
Informal expressions can vary by region, so it’s important to be aware of local variations depending on where you are in the Spanish-speaking world.
Tips and Examples
To further help you use the term “toll” effectively, consider the following tips and examples:
Tips:
- Pay attention to the context when choosing between formal and informal expressions.
- When unsure, using “peaje” or “paso de peaje” is generally safe and widely understood.
- When traveling to specific regions, check for any regional variations in terminology beforehand.
- Remember that gestures or pointing may supplement verbal communication when talking about tolls.
Examples:
- Formal Examples:
“Atención: Paso de peaje 1 km adelante.” (Attention: Toll crossing 1 km ahead.) “El cobro de peaje es en efectivo únicamente.” (Toll collection is cash only.) “Siguiendo por esta autopista, encontrarás la estación de peaje.” (Continuing on this highway, you’ll find the toll station.)
- Informal Examples:
“Me cobraron un peaje bastante caro en esa autopista.” (They charged me a quite expensive toll on that highway.) “Pásame el peajito, por favor.” (Pass me the toll, please.) “Tienes que parar en la caseta de cobro para pagar el peaje.” (You have to stop at the toll booth to pay the toll.)
Remember, using the appropriate term for “toll” in Spanish based on the formality and context of your conversation is crucial for effective communication.
