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vías

VEE-ahs/ˈbi.as/

“vías” means “tracks” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

tracks, lanes

Also: railroad lines, routes
NounfB1
Mexico
A simple illustration showing two parallel metal rails laid on wooden sleepers, stretching straight towards the horizon.

📝 In Action

El tren se detuvo porque había un problema en las vías.

A2

The train stopped because there was a problem on the tracks.

La policía cerró las vías principales por el accidente.

B1

The police closed the main lanes due to the accident.

Construyeron nuevas vías para bicicletas en la ciudad.

B1

They built new routes for bicycles in the city.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • carriles (lanes)
  • raíles (rails)

Common Collocations

  • vías férreas – railway tracks
  • vías de acceso – access roads

means, channels

Also: avenues, routes
NounfB2formal
A clear, winding stone path leading directly up a gentle green hill towards a visible, brightly colored red flag planted at the peak, symbolizing a successful method.

📝 In Action

Debemos resolver este conflicto por vías diplomáticas.

B2

We must resolve this conflict through diplomatic channels (or means).

No hay otras vías para conseguir la aprobación; este es el único método.

C1

There are no other means to get approval; this is the only method.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • medios (means/methods)
  • procedimientos (procedures)

Common Collocations

  • por vías legales – through legal channels
  • vías de comunicación – channels of communication

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "vías" in Spanish:

avenues→railroad lines→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: vías

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence uses 'vías' to mean a method or channel, rather than a physical path?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
vía(way, road, path) — Noun
viaducto(viaduct) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
díastías
📚 Etymology▼

Comes directly from the Latin noun *via*, which meant 'way,' 'road,' or 'path.' This root is the source of many English words like 'viaduct' and 'previous' (pre-via: before the way).

First recorded: Appears in early Romance languages around the 10th century.

Cognates (Related words)

Italian: viaPortuguese: via

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'vías' always plural?

Yes, 'vías' is the plural form of the noun 'vía' (way/road). You use 'vía' when talking about a single path or method, and 'vías' when talking about multiple paths, tracks, or channels.

How is 'vías' related to the word 'calle' (street)?

'Vías' is a broader term. 'Vías' often refers to major infrastructure (highways, train tracks, main arteries), whereas 'calle' usually means a smaller, more common street within a city or town.