Inklingo

How to Say "crossing" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “crossing” is “cruce” — use 'cruce' to refer to the specific point where two or more paths or roads intersect, often indicating a place where one might change direction or encounter traffic..

English → Spanish

cruce

/kroo-seh//ˈkɾuθe/

nounA1general
Use 'cruce' to refer to the specific point where two or more paths or roads intersect, often indicating a place where one might change direction or encounter traffic.
A high-angle view of two simple, colorful roads meeting at a perfect four-way junction in a bright landscape.

Examples

El cruce de la calle principal siempre está congestionado.

The intersection of the main street is always congested.

Tuvimos que esperar en el cruce del ferrocarril.

We had to wait at the railroad crossing.

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.

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.

cruzando

/kroo-SAHN-doh//kɾuˈsan.do/

verbA2general
Use 'cruzando' when describing the action of physically moving across something, like a street, a river, or a bridge, especially in the present continuous tense.
A stylized storybook illustration of a child walking across a striped crosswalk on a street, moving from one side to the other.

Examples

Estamos cruzando la calle ahora mismo, ten cuidado.

We are crossing the street right now, be careful.

Ella llegó a la biblioteca cruzando el parque.

She arrived at the library by crossing the park.

Las dos líneas de metro están cruzando justo debajo de aquí.

The two subway lines are intersecting right below here.

Action Happening Now

When you use 'cruzando' right after the verb 'estar' (to be), it means the action of crossing is happening at this exact moment: 'Están cruzando la frontera' (They are crossing the border).

Explaining How

The '-ando' form can describe the method or means by which you do another action, often translating to 'by crossing': 'Llegamos a casa cruzando el campo' (We arrived home by crossing the field).

Confusing Gerund and Infinitive

Mistake: “Usando 'Estoy a cruzar' en lugar de 'Estoy cruzando'.”

Correction: In Spanish, the continuous form uses the gerund ('-ando' form), not the infinitive ('to cross'). Say 'Estoy cruzando' (I am crossing).

crucero

kroo-SEH-roh/kɾuˈseɾo/

nounA2general
Use 'crucero' for a place where paths cross, particularly a major intersection, or in architecture for the space where the nave and transept meet in a church. It can also refer to a type of ship or aircraft.
A simple aerial depiction of two asphalt roads crossing each other perpendicularly, forming a clear four-way intersection.

Examples

Tuvimos que esperar mucho en el crucero principal de la ciudad.

We had to wait a long time at the main intersection of the city.

Hay un semáforo nuevo en ese crucero peligroso.

There is a new traffic light at that dangerous crossing.

El crucero de batalla fue hundido durante la Segunda Guerra Mundial.

The battle cruiser was sunk during the Second World War.

El altar mayor se encuentra justo bajo el crucero de la catedral.

The main altar is located right under the crossing (of the nave and transept) of the cathedral.

Synonym Use

In many Spanish-speaking areas, 'cruce' is used more often than 'crucero' for a simple street crossing, but 'crucero' is common for major, complex intersections.

cruza

/KROO-sah//ˈkɾusa/

nounB1general
Use 'cruza' specifically for the act or result of breeding two different types of animals or plants, indicating a hybrid or crossbreed.
A friendly dog that has features of both a Golden Retriever and a Poodle.

Examples

Mi perro es una cruza de pastor alemán y labrador.

My dog is a cross between a German Shepherd and a Labrador.

Esta planta es una cruza muy resistente.

This plant is a very hardy hybrid.

Noun Gender

Even if the animal is male, you still use 'una cruza' because the word for 'a crossbreed' itself is feminine.

Intersection vs. Action

Learners often confuse 'cruce' and 'cruzando'. Remember, 'cruce' is a noun referring to the place of intersection itself, while 'cruzando' is the verb form describing the action of moving across that place or any other area.

Related Translations

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