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ruta means route — a common term in Essential Spanish. Learn how it's used in a real-world example.

📅 Published: January 15, 2026

📘 Essential Spanish

ruta

noun • /[ROO-ta]/

route

Example:

¿Cuál es la mejor ruta al museo?

What’s the best route to the museum?

🧠 What does ruta mean?

The noun 'ruta' refers to the path, course, or way taken to get from a starting point to a destination. It is commonly used for travel directions, public transport lines, hiking trails, and shipping ways. Figuratively, it can also describe a planned course of action or a path toward a goal, as in a 'ruta hacia el éxito' (route to success).

📚 Extra examples

  • La ruta más corta a la ciudad está cerrada por obras.
    The shortest route to the city is closed for construction.
  • Seguimos una ruta de senderismo que nos llevó a la cima de la montaña.
    We followed a hiking route that took us to the top of the mountain.
  • El autobús número cinco hace una ruta circular por el centro.
    The number five bus follows a circular route through the downtown area.

💡 Did You Know?

Both 'ruta' and 'route' share a common origin in the Latin phrase 'rupta via', meaning 'broken way' or 'beaten path'. This referred to a path that had been cleared through undeveloped land. In a modern business context, 'hoja de ruta' ('roadmap') is a key term for a strategic plan or timeline.

🔁 Synonyms & opposites of "ruta"

Synonyms: camino, trayecto, recorrido, itinerario, vía
Opposites: desvío, atajo

🔍 See more essential spanish words

❓ FAQ

How do you say 'route' in Spanish?
The most direct and common way to say 'route' in Spanish is 'ruta'. Depending on the context, other words like 'camino' (way, road), 'trayecto' (journey, stretch), or 'itinerario' (itinerary) can also be used.
How do you pronounce 'ruta' in Spanish?
'Ruta' is pronounced ROO-tah. The initial 'r' has a strong, tapped sound typical of Spanish. The 'u' sounds like the 'oo' in 'boot'.
How do you use 'ruta' in a sentence?
'Ruta' is a feminine noun. A typical sentence would be: 'Planificamos la ruta antes de salir de viaje.' (We planned the route before leaving on our trip.)
What is the English translation of 'ruta'?
The primary English translation of 'ruta' is 'route'. It can also be translated as 'path', 'way', or 'course'.
Does 'ruta' change for gender or number?
As a feminine noun, 'ruta' uses feminine articles like 'la' or 'una'. Its plural form is 'rutas', for example, 'Hay varias rutas para llegar al lago.' (There are several routes to get to the lake.)
Is 'ruta' common in everyday Spanish?
Yes, 'ruta' is a very common and essential word in daily Spanish, used frequently in conversations about travel, giving directions, public transportation, and planning trips.
Does 'ruta' have slang or double meanings?
'Ruta' does not have common slang meanings. The expression 'hoja de ruta' translates to 'roadmap' and is used figuratively to mean a strategic plan for a project or organization.
Is 'ruta' used differently in Spain vs Latin America?
The word is understood everywhere. However, in countries like Argentina, Uruguay, and Chile, 'ruta' is the standard term for a major highway, a word more commonly expressed as 'carretera' in Spain.

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