cruce
/kroo-seh/
intersection
The meeting point of two roads illustrates an intersection or road junction.
📝 In Action
El cruce de la calle principal siempre está congestionado.
A2The intersection of the main street is always congested.
Tuvimos que esperar en el cruce del ferrocarril.
B1We had to wait at the railroad crossing.
💡 Grammar Points
Gender Check
Remember that 'cruce' is masculine: 'el cruce'. It sounds like it might be feminine because it ends in '-e', but it follows the pattern of words derived from verbs.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing 'cruce' and 'cruz'
Mistake: "Usar 'la cruce' para decir 'the cross' (religious symbol)."
Correction: Use 'la cruz' (the cross) for the object, and 'el cruce' (the intersection/act of crossing) for the place or action.
⭐ Usage Tips
Visualizing the Action
Think of 'cruce' as the noun form of the verb 'cruzar' (to cross). It is the place where the 'crossing' happens.
This unique animal, combining features of two types, is an example of a crossbreed.
📝 In Action
El perro es el cruce de un labrador y un pastor alemán.
B1The dog is a crossbreed between a Labrador and a German Shepherd.
Estudiaron el cruce de estas dos especies de flores.
C1They studied the crossbreeding of these two flower species.
⭐ Usage Tips
Using 'cruce' in Sports
In boxing, 'cruce' refers to a 'cross' or a crossing punch. In soccer, it can mean a 'cross' pass.
The image depicts the action of crossing a boundary or path.
cruce(verb)
that I cross
?Present Subjunctive (Yo)
,that he/she/it cross
?Present Subjunctive (Él/Ella/Usted)
,cross!
?Formal Command (Usted Imperative)
📝 In Action
Espero que no cruce la calle sin mirar.
B2I hope that he doesn't cross the street without looking. (Subjunctive)
Señor, cruce la línea de meta lo antes posible.
B1Sir, cross the finish line as soon as possible. (Formal Command)
💡 Grammar Points
The Z-C Spelling Change
The verb 'cruzar' ends in -zar. To make the sound of 'z' hard like an 's' or 'th' before an 'e' (as in 'cruce'), Spanish rules change the 'z' to a 'c'. This is a common pattern for -zar verbs.
Subjunctive Mood
'Cruce' is the special form used when expressing wishes, doubts, or requests, often after words like 'que' (that) and verbs of emotion or influence.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Incorrect Spelling
Mistake: "Escribir *cruze* en lugar de 'cruce'."
Correction: Always use 'c' before 'e' or 'i' to maintain the soft sound. The 'z' is only used before 'a', 'o', or 'u'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Formal Commands
Use 'Cruce' when giving a command to someone you address formally (Usted): 'Cruce la calle ahora' (Cross the street now).
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: cruce
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'cruce' as the common noun for a street location?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'cruce' masculine or feminine?
'Cruce' is masculine: 'el cruce'. Even though many nouns ending in -e are feminine, this word is derived from the verb 'cruzar', making it masculine.
How do I know if 'cruce' means 'intersection' or is a verb command?
If it has 'el' or 'un' before it, it's the noun ('el cruce'). If it's used at the start of a sentence or after a formal 'usted,' it's likely the verb command ('Cruce con precaución!').