grúa
/ˈɡɾua/feminine
The English phrase tow truck is translated into Spanish as grúa. Wiktionary also lists remolque and servimóvil.
Meaning: motor vehicle for towing (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| grúa | /ˈɡɾua/ | feminine |
| remolque | /reˈmolke/ | masculine |
| servimóvil | /seɾbimobil/ (from spelling rules) | Cuba, masculine |
The term is used to describe a motor vehicle designed for towing other vehicles.
Which one should you use?
The word grúa can mean both a tow truck and a crane. If you are referring to the object being pulled or the act of towing itself, use remolque.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Cuba, the masculine noun servimóvil is used to refer to a tow truck.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of grúa is las grúas.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈɡɾua/
Did you know?
- Both the bird grulla and the machine grúa trace back to an ancient root meaning 'to cry hoarsely'.
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, if a car is towed by the police, the process is called grúa but the destination is the depósito or corral.
- While grúa is the common noun, the actual driver of a tow truck is often called a gruista.
Examples in context
- Él maneja una grúa.He drives a tow truck.This sentence uses grúa to describe the vehicle being driven.Tatoeba #4757175 by DarkHollow, translation #1525654 by CK
- La grúa trasladó el coche al taller.The tow truck took the car to the repair shop.This sentence uses grúa to describe the vehicle moving a car.Tatoeba #6627058 by arh, translation #9194698 by DJ_Saidez
- Necesito llamar a una grúa de arrastreI need to call a tow truck.
- Necesito una grúaI need a tow truck.
- ¿Conoces algún servicio de grúa de confianza en esta zona?Do you know any reliable tow truck services in this area?
- una grúa para remolcar cochesA tow truck for towing cars
- una grúa de asistencia en carreteraA roadside assistance tow truck
- La grúa llegó muy rápido.The tow truck arrived very quickly.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucía and Alejandro are standing by a broken-down car on the roadside.
- Lucía¿Viste la grúa por la carretera?Did you see the tow truck on the highway?
- AlejandroNo, pero espero que llegue pronto.No, but I hope it arrives soon.
- LucíaAlejandro, mira, ¡allí viene la grúa!Alejandro, look, there comes the tow truck!
- AlejandroQué alivio, ya no tengo que esperar más.What a relief, I don't have to wait any longer.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “tow truck” translations and entries grúa, remolque, 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 grúa, remolque, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
