accidentes
/ahk-see-DEN-tes/
accidents
An accidente is an unplanned, harmful event, like a slip or a small crash.
accidentes(noun)
accidents
?unplanned harmful events
,crashes
?traffic or vehicle incidents
mishaps
?minor unfortunate events
,injuries
?often used in context of workplace injuries
📝 In Action
Hubo tres accidentes de tráfico en la carretera esta mañana.
A1There were three traffic accidents on the highway this morning.
La empresa quiere reducir los accidentes laborales a cero.
B1The company wants to reduce workplace accidents to zero.
Tuvimos unos pequeños accidentes en la cocina, pero nadie salió herido.
A2We had a few little mishaps in the kitchen, but no one got hurt.
💡 Grammar Points
Masculine Plural
Even though this word ends in '-es', it is masculine. Remember the singular is 'el accidente', so the plural is 'los accidentes'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using the wrong gender
Mistake: "La accidentes"
Correction: Los accidentes. The word is masculine, even though it ends in '-e'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Traffic vs. Work
When talking about traffic, use 'accidentes de tráfico' (or 'de carro/coche'). For workplace injuries, use 'accidentes laborales' or 'accidentes de trabajo'.
The word accidentes can also describe the natural geographical features or details of the terrain, such as mountains and valleys.
accidentes(noun)
features
?geographical features or details of terrain
irregularities
?changes in a surface
📝 In Action
La región se caracteriza por sus accidentes geográficos, como montañas y valles.
B2The region is characterized by its geographical features, such as mountains and valleys.
El mapa muestra todos los accidentes del terreno.
C1The map shows all the irregularities of the terrain.
💡 Grammar Points
Extended Meaning
This meaning relates to the idea of something 'falling upon' or 'interrupting' a smooth surface, like a mountain interrupting a plain.
⭐ Usage Tips
Formal Context
Use this meaning primarily when reading or writing about geology, geography, or detailed landscape descriptions.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: accidentes
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses 'accidentes' in its most common meaning?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'accidente' masculine or feminine?
It is always masculine. You use 'el accidente' in the singular and 'los accidentes' in the plural.
Does 'accidentes' ever refer to the verb 'to crash'?
Yes, 'accidentes' is the 'tú' form of the verb 'accidentar' in the present subjunctive (used for wishes or indirect commands). However, this usage is much less common than the noun meaning.