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How to Say "traffic" in Spanish

English → Spanish

tráfico

nounA1general
Use 'tráfico' when referring to the congestion or general movement of vehicles on roads, especially when it implies a delay or a large volume.

Examples

Hay mucho tráfico en la carretera principal a esta hora.

There is a lot of traffic on the main road at this hour.

circulación

nounA2general
Use 'circulación' to describe the general flow or movement of vehicles on roads, often in a more neutral or official context.

Examples

Hay mucha circulación en el centro de la ciudad hoy.

There is a lot of traffic in the city center today.

tránsito

nounA2general
Use 'tránsito' to refer to the movement of vehicles or people on streets, often emphasizing the act of passing through or the flow.

Examples

El tránsito está muy lento esta mañana por la lluvia.

The traffic is very slow this morning because of the rain.

Tráfico vs. Circulación

Learners often confuse 'tráfico' and 'circulación'. While both mean traffic, 'tráfico' is more common for expressing congestion or heavy traffic, whereas 'circulación' is a more general term for vehicle movement, sometimes used in official reports.

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