Inklingo

How to Say "traffic jam" in Spanish

English → Spanish

cola

/KOH-lah//ˈko.la/

nounA1general
Use 'cola' when referring to a line of vehicles, often used more generally for any queue, including traffic.
Three stylized people standing in a straight line, waiting patiently.

Examples

Había una cola enorme para comprar las entradas del concierto.

There was a huge line to buy the concert tickets.

No me gusta hacer cola en el supermercado.

I don't like waiting in line at the supermarket.

Hay una cola de tres kilómetros en la carretera.

There is a three-kilometer traffic jam on the highway.

Key Verb: Hacer

The most common way to say 'to wait in line' is using the verb 'hacer' (to do/make): 'hacer cola'.

taco

/tah-koh//ˈtako/

nounB1general
Use 'taco' specifically when cars are completely stuck and unable to move, indicating a severe blockage.
A long line of colorful cars stuck closely together on a road.

Examples

Llegué tarde por un taco en la avenida principal.

I arrived late because of a traffic jam on the main avenue.

botella

boh-TEH-yah/boˈteʎa/

nounB2colloquial (Spain)
Use 'botella' only in Spain to describe a traffic bottleneck or obstruction that causes significant delays.
A crowded scene of many brightly colored cars stopped bumper-to-bumper on a road, illustrating a severe traffic jam or bottleneck.

Examples

Cogimos una botella tremenda cerca de la capital y llegamos tarde.

We hit a tremendous traffic jam near the capital and arrived late.

Se montó una botella grande en la fiesta después de medianoche.

A big drinking session started at the party after midnight.

Cola vs. Taco for Traffic

Learners often confuse 'cola' and 'taco'. Remember that 'cola' is a general line of vehicles, while 'taco' implies they are stuck and not moving. 'Botella' is specific to Spain and refers to a bottleneck.

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