sentido contrario
/sentido kontɾaɾjo/from spelling rules
The English phrase "wrong way" can be translated into Spanish as sentido contrario.
sentido contrario is the standard way to describe driving or moving in the opposite direction of the allowed or intended flow of traffic. When you are describing the specific action of driving the wrong way, you typically use the preposition en, as in conducir en sentido contrario.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of sentido (meaning sense or direction) and contrario (meaning opposite or contrary).
How do you pronounce it?
/sentido kontɾaɾjo/
Did you know?
- In many Latin American countries, instead of using the formal sentido contrario, drivers will use the word contramano to indicate the wrong way.
- A single word, sentido, can simultaneously describe the direction of a street, a human sense like smell, and the logical meaning of a sentence.
- The word sentido comes from the Spanish verb sentir, which means 'to feel' or 'to perceive'.
Examples in context
- Este informe fue presentado de manera incorrecta.This report was presented in the wrong way.
- Lo has hecho todo al revés, deberíamos empezar otra vez.You've done everything backwards, we should start again.
- Ese coche viene en sentido contrario.That car is coming the wrong way.
- No dobles ahí, es en sentido contrario.Don't turn there, it is the wrong way.
- Hay un camión circulando en sentido contrario.There is a truck driving in the wrong direction.
Example conversation
Mateo and Sofía are driving in a car.
- MateoCreo que estamos perdidos.I think we are lost.
- SofíaMira, vas en sentido contrario.Look, you are going the wrong way.
- Mateo¡Cuidado! Voy a dar la vuelta.Watch out! I'm going to turn around.
- SofíaSí, hazlo rápido, Mateo.Yes, do it quickly, Mateo.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries contrario, sentido, CC BY-SA 4.0.
