atajo

ah-TAH-ho/aˈtaxo/

“atajo” means “shortcut” in Spanish. It has 3 different meanings depending on context:

shortcut🔊A2Noun

a quicker way to get somewhere

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bunch🔊B2Noun

a group of things or people

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I cut off🔊B1Verb

to intercept or take a shorter path

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shortcut

Also: bypass, workaround

NounmA2

Latin America

A dirt path cutting through a green field, bypassing a long winding road.

📝 In Action

Conozco un atajo para llegar al centro en diez minutos.

I know a shortcut to get to the center in ten minutes.

No tomes ese atajo de noche; está muy oscuro.

Don't take that shortcut at night; it's very dark.

Buscamos un atajo en el proceso para ahorrar tiempo.

We are looking for a shortcut in the process to save time.

Word Connections

Synonyms

senda (path/lane)
vía rápida (fast track)

Antonyms

vuelta (long way around)
rodeo (detour)

Common Collocations

tomar un atajo – to take a shortcut
conocer un atajo – to know a shortcut
atajo de teclado – keyboard shortcut

Idioms & Expressions

No hay atajo sin trabajo – There are no shortcuts to success

bunch

Also: pack, crowd

NounmB2informal

A small group of colorful balloons tied together with a single string.

📝 In Action

¡Eran un atajo de mentirosos!

They were a bunch of liars!

Vimos un atajo de cabras cruzando el monte.

We saw a pack of goats crossing the hill.

Word Connections

Synonyms

montón (heap/pile)
grupo (group)

Antonyms

individuo (individual)

Common Collocations

un atajo de tontos – a bunch of fools
un atajo de mentiras – a pack of lies

I cut off

Also: I stop

VerbB1regular ar

A person standing at a crossroad, stepping onto a side path to get ahead of a group.

gerundatajando

past Participleatajado

infinitiveatajar

📝 In Action

Yo atajo por el callejón todos los días.

I take a shortcut through the alley every day.

Si veo un problema, lo atajo de inmediato.

If I see a problem, I stop it immediately.

🔄 Conjugations

subjunctive

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedesatajaran

yoatajara

túatajaras

vosotrosatajarais

nosotrosatajáramos

él/ella/ustedatajara

present

ellos/ellas/ustedesatajen

yoataje

túatajes

vosotrosatajéis

nosotrosatajemos

él/ella/ustedataje

indicative

preterite

ellos/ellas/ustedesatajaron

yoatajé

túatajaste

vosotrosatajasteis

nosotrosatajamos

él/ella/ustedatajó

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedesatajaban

yoatajaba

túatajabas

vosotrosatajabais

nosotrosatajábamos

él/ella/ustedatajaba

present

ellos/ellas/ustedesatajan

yoatajo

túatajas

vosotrosatajáis

nosotrosatajamos

él/ella/ustedataja

View All Tenses & Moods →

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "atajo" in Spanish:

bunch→bypass→crowd→i stop→pack→shortcut→workaround→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: atajo

Question 1 of 3

If someone says '¡Qué atajo de mentiras!', what are they saying?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼

atajar(to take a shortcut / to stop) — Verb

tajo(a cut or slash) — Noun

tajada(a slice or piece) — Noun

🎵 Rhymes▼

bajo trabajorelajo

📚 Etymology▼

Derived from the verb 'atajar' (to cut off), which comes from 'tajo' (a cut). Ultimately from Latin roots meaning 'to cut'.

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

Portuguese: atalhoFrench: entaille

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'atajo' masculine or feminine?

It is masculine: 'el atajo'.

Can I use 'atajo' for people?

Yes, but be careful! It's usually an insult, meaning a 'bunch' or 'gang' of people you don't like.

What is the difference between 'atajo' and 'camino corto'?

'Atajo' specifically implies a path that leaves the main road to save time. 'Camino corto' is just any short road.