A bright yellow and blue city transit bus driving down a street in a high quality simple colorful storybook illustration style.

autobús

ow-toh-BOOS

nounmA1

bus?public transportation vehicle, usually city transit

Also:coach?long-distance passenger vehicle (often called 'autocar' in Spain)

📝 In Action

¿A qué hora pasa el próximo autobús?

What time does the next bus pass?

Necesito un billete para ir en autobús al centro.

I need a ticket to go downtown by bus.

El viaje en autobús de Madrid a Barcelona dura muchas horas.

The bus journey (coach ride) from Madrid to Barcelona lasts many hours.

Word Connections

Synonyms

bus (bus)
ómnibus (omnibus)

Common Collocations

coger el autobús – to catch the bus
parada de autobús – bus stop
línea de autobús – bus route

💡 Grammar Points

Masculine Gender Rule

Since 'autobús' ends in a consonant ('s') and refers to an object, it is masculine, so always use 'el' or 'un': 'el autobús'.

Making it Plural

To make this word plural, you must add '-es' to the end: 'los autobuses' (the buses). Remember the stress stays on the last syllable.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Mispronouncing the Plural

Mistake: "Saying 'autobús-es' (four syllables, like Spanish 'bus' but with '-es')."

Correction: The plural is three syllables: 'autobuses' (ow-toh-BOO-ses), not 'auto-BUS-es'. The stress shifts slightly but remains strong on 'bus'.

⭐ Usage Tips

Regional Variations

While 'autobús' is understood everywhere, locals often use specific words: 'guagua' (Caribbean), 'camión' (Mexico), or 'colectivo' (Argentina/Chile). Knowing these makes you sound more natural.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: autobús

Question 1 of 1

Which sentence correctly uses the plural form of 'autobús'?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

autocar(coach (long-distance bus)) - noun

automóvil(automobile, car) - noun

autovía(dual carriageway, highway) - noun

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do some countries say 'guagua' instead of 'autobús'?

The term 'guagua' is thought to have come from the sound of the horn used on early buses, or possibly derived from the American brand of wagon transport called 'Wa & Wa Co.' that operated in the Caribbean. It's a fun example of how local history shapes language.

Is 'bus' an acceptable short form in Spanish?

Yes, 'el bus' is very common and understood throughout Latin America and sometimes in Spain, particularly in informal conversations. However, 'autobús' is the more formal and universal choice.