Inklingo

How to Say "crash" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “crash” is “choque” — use 'choque' for a traffic accident involving vehicles colliding.

English → Spanish

choque

CHOH-kehˈtʃo.ke

nounA1general
Use 'choque' for a traffic accident involving vehicles colliding.
A simple illustration showing the front bumpers of two small, colorful cars slightly touching after a minor impact.

Examples

El choque entre los dos coches fue muy fuerte.

The collision between the two cars was very strong.

Llamaron a la policía después del choque.

They called the police after the crash.

El choque frontal dejó a los conductores heridos.

The head-on collision left the drivers injured.

Masculine Noun

Remember that 'choque' is always a masculine word, so you must use 'el' or 'un' before it.

Confusing 'choque' and 'chocar'

Mistake: “Using 'yo choque' when you mean 'yo choqué' (I crashed).”

Correction: 'Choque' is the noun (the crash itself). Use the verb 'chocar' (to crash) for actions.

accidente

ak-see-DEN-tayak.siˈðen.te

nounA2general
Use 'accidente' for any mishap or unfortunate event, especially a traffic accident, but can also apply to non-vehicle incidents.
A simple illustration of a minor traffic accident where two cartoon cars have lightly bumped each other on a street, showing surprise but no severe damage.

Examples

Tuve un pequeño accidente en la cocina y me quemé la mano.

I had a little accident in the kitchen and burned my hand.

El tráfico está terrible por un accidente en la autopista.

The traffic is terrible because of an accident on the highway.

Fue un accidente, no lo hizo a propósito.

It was an accident, he didn't do it on purpose.

It's a Masculine Word

Even though 'accidente' ends in '-e', it's a masculine word. Always say 'el accidente' or 'un accidente'.

'Tener' vs. 'Sufrir'

Mistake: “You can say 'tener un accidente' (to have an accident), which is very common. But for more serious events, you might hear 'sufrir un accidente'.”

Correction: 'Sufrir un accidente' adds a sense of seriousness, like saying 'to suffer an accident'. Example: 'Sufrió un grave accidente.' (He suffered a serious accident.)

colisión

nounB1general
Use 'colisión' specifically for a collision, usually between vehicles, emphasizing the impact itself.

Examples

Hubo una colisión entre dos coches en la esquina.

There was a collision between two cars on the corner.

hostia

OSS-tyahˈostja

nounB1informal
Use 'hostia' informally to describe a significant physical accident or fall, often with a sense of surprise or pain.
A colorful storybook illustration showing a cartoon hand accidentally knocking over a wooden bowl.

Examples

Se dio una hostia tremenda con la bici.

He had a massive crash on his bike.

Si no te callas, te vas a llevar una hostia.

If you don't shut up, you're going to get a smack.

Le dio una hostia a la mesa por la frustración.

He gave the table a hard smack out of frustration.

Using 'darse' for accidents

When you accidentally hit yourself or crash into something, use the reflexive form 'darse una hostia' to show the action happened to you.

Always Feminine

Even though it is used as slang for a hit, it never changes its gender. It is always 'la hostia' or 'una hostia'.

Confusing with 'golpe' in formal settings

Mistake: “Using 'hostia' in a job interview to describe a car accident.”

Correction: Use 'golpe' or 'accidente' instead. 'Hostia' is very informal and can be seen as rude in professional environments.

colapso

ko-LAP-sokoˈlapso

nounB1general
Use 'colapso' for a total breakdown or failure, most commonly in economic, financial, or traffic contexts.
A wooden bridge with broken planks and a sagging middle section.

Examples

Hubo un colapso total del tráfico en el centro.

There was a total traffic jam in the center.

El sistema de salud está al borde del colapso.

The healthcare system is on the verge of collapse.

La burbuja inmobiliaria provocó un colapso económico.

The housing bubble caused an economic crash.

Always Masculine

This word is always masculine. You should always use 'el' or 'un' with it, regardless of what is collapsing.

Don't confuse with the verb

Mistake: “El tráfico colapso.”

Correction: El tráfico colapsó (verb) or Hubo un colapso (noun).

boom

/boom/ (like the English word)bum

nounA2general
Use 'boom' to specifically refer to the loud sound made by an impact or explosion.
A simplified illustration of a large, sudden cloud of grey smoke and bright orange light erupting from a central point, symbolizing a loud explosion sound.

Examples

Oímos un gran boom que venía de la calle.

We heard a big boom coming from the street.

El cohete hizo boom y desapareció en el cielo.

The rocket went boom and disappeared into the sky.

Sound Words

In Spanish, words that imitate sounds (onomatopoeia) often function like nouns, or they are paired with verbs like 'hacer' (to make) to describe the action.

Accidente vs. Choque

Learners often confuse 'accidente' and 'choque'. While both can refer to traffic incidents, 'choque' specifically implies a collision between two or more things, whereas 'accidente' is broader and can cover any unfortunate event, even non-traffic related ones.

Related Translations

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