Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| atasco | /aˈtasko/ | masculine |
| embotellamiento | /emboteʝamjento/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
| caravana | /kaɾaˈbana/ | feminine |
| taco | /ˈtako/ | masculine |
| tapón | /taˈpon/ | masculine |
| trabazón | /tɾabaˈθon/ /tɾabaˈson/ |
masculine |
| trancón | /tɾankon/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
| tráfico | /ˈtɾafiko/ | masculine |
| congestión de tránsito | /konxestjon de tɾansito/ (from spelling rules) | feminine |
| congestión vehicular | /konxestjon beikulaɾ/ (from spelling rules) | feminine |
| trancadera | /tɾankadeɾa/ (from spelling rules) | feminine |
All these terms are used to describe a situation in which road traffic is stationary or moving very slowly.
What does it mean word for word?
The word atasco literally means a blockage or a clog. Similarly, tapón literally means a plug or a stopper, which is used metaphorically to describe a traffic jam.
Which one should you use?
While atasco is the most common term used in Spain, embotellamiento is more frequent in many parts of Latin America.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For formal contexts, such as news reports or official announcements, use congestión vehicular. Note that congestión de tráfico is also a formal way to express this idea.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Regional variations include: taco is commonly used in Mexico. trancón is the standard term in Colombia. trancadera is a colloquial option in Colombia. And tranca is an informal term used in parts of Latin America, particularly in Colombia and Venezuela.
How does it change in a sentence?
atasco, embotellamiento, taco, tapón, trabazón, trancón, tráfico are masculine nouns. caravana, congestión de tránsito, congestión vehicular and trancadera are feminine nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/aˈtasko/
Did you know?
- The word taco may have originated from the 'tacos de minero', which were rolled explosive charges used in mines.
- While atasco is the standard in Spain, using it in certain Latin American countries might sound overly European or formal.
Examples in context
- Por suerte no había atasco.Luckily there wasn't a traffic jam.This sentence is useful for expressing luck regarding the absence of an atasco.Tatoeba #13366311 by Lernema, translation #10515920 by sundown
- Hay un taco en la autopista.There is a traffic jam on the highway.This sentence shows how to report a taco on a highway.Tatoeba #1372260 by marcelostockle, translation #435623 by CK
- Estoy atrapado en un atasco.I'm stuck in a traffic jam.This sentence is useful for describing being stuck in an atasco.Tatoeba #1744941 by Shishir, translation #1737340 by Spamster
- El informe indica que hay una congestión de tráfico en la ciudad.The report indicates there is a traffic jam in the city.
- No pude llegar a tiempo debido a la tranca en la avenida principal.I couldn't arrive on time because of the traffic jam on the main avenue.
- Mira qué tapón hay en la autopista, no avanzamos nada.Look at the traffic jam on the highway, we're not moving at all.
- 26 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Daniel is calling María to explain why he is late.
- DanielLo siento, hay un atasco terrible.I'm sorry, there is a terrible traffic jam.
- María¿Es por el accidente de la carretera?Is it because of the accident on the highway?
- DanielSí, el atasco no se mueve.Yes, the traffic jam isn't moving.
- MaríaNo te preocupes, te espero.Don't worry, I will wait for you.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “traffic jam” translations and entries atasco, embotellamiento, caravana, taco, tapón, trabazón, trancón, tráfico, trancadera, 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 atasco, caravana, embotellamiento, taco, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
