acelerador
“acelerador” means “accelerator” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
accelerator, gas pedal
Also: throttle
📝 In Action
Pisa el acelerador con cuidado para no salir disparado.
A2Press the gas pedal carefully so you don't zoom off.
El coche no responde bien cuando suelto el acelerador.
B1The car doesn't respond well when I let go of the accelerator.
Tuvimos que cambiar el cable del acelerador porque estaba gastado.
B2We had to change the throttle cable because it was worn out.
catalyst, accelerator
Also: booster
📝 In Action
La nueva ley fue un acelerador para la economía del país.
B2The new law was a catalyst for the country's economy.
Estamos usando un acelerador químico para que la pintura seque rápido.
B2We are using a chemical accelerator so the paint dries fast.
El acelerador de partículas es una maravilla de la ingeniería.
C1The particle accelerator is a marvel of engineering.
Translate to Spanish
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: acelerador
Question 1 of 3
Which of these would you do if you are in a hurry while driving?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
From the Latin word 'accelerare', which combines 'ad-' (toward) and 'celer' (swift/fast). It literally means 'to move toward swiftness'.
First recorded: 19th century (in its modern mechanical sense)
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'acelerador' used for bicycles?
Generally, no. Bicycles have 'pedales' (pedals). However, electric bikes might have a 'puño acelerador' (throttle grip) on the handlebar.
Can I use 'acelerador' for people?
Rarely. We usually call a person who speeds things up a 'dinamizador' or 'impulsor'. 'Acelerador' is mostly for objects, machines, or abstract forces.
What is the opposite of 'acelerador'?
The physical opposite in a car is the 'freno' (brake). In a process, the opposite would be a 'freno' or 'obstáculo'.