carretera
“carretera” means “road” in Spanish (General term for a main thoroughfare).
road, highway
Also: route
📝 In Action
La carretera nacional está muy transitada hoy.
A1The national highway is very busy today.
Necesitamos un mapa para seguir la carretera hasta la costa.
A2We need a map to follow the road to the coast.
El viaje por carretera nos llevó dos días enteros.
B1The road trip took us two whole days.
🔀 Commonly Confused With
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✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: carretera
Question 1 of 1
Which Spanish word would you use to describe the main street running through the center of a small village?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
The word comes from the older Spanish word 'carreta' (meaning 'cart' or 'wagon') combined with the suffix '-era'. This literally means 'the path made for carts'—showing how the road developed from old wagon trails.
First recorded: 14th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'carretera' and 'autopista'?
'Carretera' is a general term for a main road or highway. 'Autopista' specifically refers to a modern, high-speed freeway or motorway, which usually requires paying a toll (peaje). If it's a freeway that doesn't charge a toll, it's often called an 'autovía'.