servicio de grúa
/seɾbiθjo de ɡɾua/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'towing service' is translated into Spanish as servicio de grúa.
This phrase refers to a business that provides a vehicle to pull or transport broken-down or illegally parked cars. In practical situations, such as when you actually need help, it is common to use the phrase llamar a la grúa (to call the tow truck).
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of servicio, meaning 'service' and grúa, which refers to a tow truck or a crane.
Which one should you use?
While servicio de grúa refers to the business or the service itself, the word grúa alone is used to refer specifically to the tow truck vehicle.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, the word grúa is the standard term used to mean 'tow truck'.
How do you pronounce it?
/seɾbiθjo de ɡɾua/
Did you know?
- The term grúa is etymologically linked to the word grulla, which means 'crane' (the bird). They both stem from a root meaning 'to cry hoarsely', referring to the sounds made by the birds or the mechanical noise.
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, grúa refers to both a tow truck and a construction crane.
- While grúa is the standard term in Spain, many Latin American countries use different words for the vehicle, such as plataforma or even specialized regional slang for a tow truck.
Examples in context
- Disculpe, ¿puede contactar un servicio de remolque? Mi coche se ha averiado en medio de la carretera.Excuse me, can you contact a towing service? My car has broken down in the middle of the road.
- Necesito asistencia en carretera. Mi vehículo se encuentra en una ubicación remota y requiere ser remolcado.I need roadside assistance. My vehicle is in a remote location and needs to be towed.
- Voy a necesitar que remolques mi coche hasta el taller mecánico más cercano.I'll need you to tow my car to the nearest mechanic shop.
- Necesito llamar al servicio de grúa.I need to call the towing service.
- El servicio de grúa es muy caro aquí.The towing service is very expensive here.
- ¿Conoces algún buen servicio de grúa en esta zona?Do you know a good towing service in this area?
Example conversation
Lucía and Alejandro are standing next to a broken-down car on the side of the road.
- LucíaMi coche no arranca, Alejandro.My car won't start, Alejandro.
- AlejandroNo te preocupes, buscaré un servicio de grúa.Don't worry, I will look for a towing service.
- LucíaGracias, ¿sabes si el servicio de grúa tardará mucho?Thank you, do you know if the towing service will take long?
- AlejandroEspero que lleguen pronto para ayudarte.I hope they arrive soon to help you.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries de, grúa, servicio, CC BY-SA 4.0.
