Inklingo

How to Say "workaround" in Spanish

The Spanish word forworkaroundis atajoA2 level. This is a very common word in everyday Spanish.

English → SpanishA2

atajo

nounA2
a quicker way to finish a task
A dirt path cutting through a green field, bypassing a long winding road.

Examples

Conozco un atajo para llegar al centro en diez minutos.

I know a shortcut to get to the center in ten minutes.

No tomes ese atajo de noche; está muy oscuro.

Don't take that shortcut at night; it's very dark.

Buscamos un atajo en el proceso para ahorrar tiempo.

We are looking for a shortcut in the process to save time.

Gender Memory Aid

Even though it ends in 'o', remember it is masculine: 'el atajo'. Think of 'el camino' (the road) to help you remember.

Verbs to Use

In English you 'make' or 'take' a shortcut, but in Spanish, we almost always use 'tomar' (to take) or 'ir por' (to go via).

Don't use 'hacer'

Mistake:Hice un atajo para llegar.

Correction: Tomé un atajo para llegar. (We use 'take', not 'make', for paths).

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