Lael logo

desvío means detour; diversion — a common term in Travel Spanish. Learn how it's used in a real-world example.

📅 Published: October 4, 2025

✈️ Travel Spanish

desvío

noun • /[des-BEE-oh]/

detour; diversion

Example:

Hay desvío por inundación en la carretera.

There's a detour due to flooding on the road.

🧠 What does desvío mean?

Desvío is a Spanish noun that generally means "detour" or "diversion." It refers to a change in the usual route, often due to road closures, construction, or accidents. It can also refer to a deviation from a plan or a redirection of resources.

📚 Extra examples

  • Había un desvío en la carretera debido a un accidente.
    There was a detour on the highway due to an accident.
  • Tuvimos que tomar un desvío para evitar el tráfico.
    We had to take a detour to avoid the traffic.
  • El desvío nos añadió una hora al viaje.
    The detour added an hour to our trip.
  • Hubo un desvío de fondos para el nuevo proyecto.
    There was a diversion of funds for the new project.
  • El avión tuvo un desvío a otro aeropuerto por el mal tiempo.
    The plane had a diversion to another airport due to bad weather.

💡 Did You Know?

The verb form of 'desvío' is 'desviar', meaning 'to divert' or 'to detour'.

🔁 Synonyms & opposites of "desvío"

Synonyms: desviación, rodeo, alternativa
Opposites: ruta directa, camino directo

🔍 See more travel spanish words

❓ FAQ

How do you say 'detour' in Spanish?
The most common way to say 'detour' in Spanish is 'desvío.'
How do you pronounce 'desvío' in Spanish?
It's pronounced des-VEE-o, with the stress on the second syllable. The 'v' is pronounced like a 'b'.
How do you use 'desvío' in a sentence?
Here are a few examples: 'El desvío nos llevó por un camino de tierra.' (The detour took us down a dirt road.) or 'Hay un desvío en la autopista.' (There's a detour on the highway.)
What is the English translation of 'desvío'?
'Desvío' translates to 'detour' or 'diversion' in English.
Does 'desvío' change for gender or number?
No, 'desvío' is a masculine noun and its plural form is 'desvíos.'
Is 'desvío' common in everyday Spanish?
Yes, 'desvío' is a common word used in everyday conversations, especially when discussing travel or traffic.
Does 'desvío' have slang or double meanings?
While generally straightforward, 'desvío' can sometimes metaphorically refer to a digression or deviation from a topic or plan. It doesn't have any particularly common slang meanings.
Is 'desvío' used differently in Spain vs Latin America?
The meaning and usage of 'desvío' are largely the same across Spain and Latin America.

📱 Download the App

Get reminders · Save favorites · Share words

Lael App Logo

Lael: Spanish Word of the Day

Download on the App Store