multa de tráfico
/multa de tɾafiko/from spelling rules
A traffic citation in Spanish is multa de tráfico.
This phrase refers to an official notice issued by police for a violation of vehicle laws, which usually requires the payment of a fine.
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, multa de tráfico means 'fine of traffic'.
Which one should you use?
While citación can mean a summons or citation, in the context of driving violations, multa is the standard term used to refer to the actual penalty or ticket.
How does it change in a sentence?
To make the phrase plural, you change the noun multa to multas, resulting in multas de tráfico.
How do you pronounce it?
/multa de tɾafiko/
Did you know?
- In some regions, a traffic ticket is jokingly called un regalo meaning 'a gift' when a driver is sarcastic about receiving a fine.
- Beyond road violations, tráfico can refer to the illegal smuggling or trade of goods.
- While it feels Latin, tráfico actually entered the Spanish language as a loanword from the Italian word traffico.
Examples in context
- El oficial de policía le entregó una multa de tráfico por exceso de velocidad.The police officer issued a traffic citation for speeding.
- Me dieron un parte de tráfico por no detenerme en el semáforo en rojo.They gave me a traffic citation for not stopping at the red light.
- Me pusieron una multa de tráfico por exceso de velocidad.I got a traffic citation for speeding.
- Recibí una multa de tráfico ayer.I received a traffic citation yesterday.
- ¿Tienes que pagar la multa de tráfico?Do you have to pay the traffic citation?
- La multa de tráfico fue muy cara.The traffic citation was very expensive.
Example conversation
Mateo and María are talking in the kitchen.
- MateoMaría, ¿por qué estás tan triste?María, why are you so sad?
- MaríaMe pusieron una multa de tráfico.I got a traffic citation.
- Mateo¡Qué mal! ¿Fue por exceso de velocidad?That's too bad! Was it for speeding?
- MaríaSí, Mateo, fue por ir muy rápido.Yes, Mateo, it was for going too fast.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries de, multa, tráfico, CC BY-SA 4.0.
