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tráfico means traffic — a common term in Travel Spanish. Learn how it's used in a real-world example.

📅 Published: November 22, 2025

✈️ Travel Spanish

tráfico

noun • /[TRA-fi-co]/

traffic

Example:

El tráfico está imposible hoy.

Traffic is crazy today.

🧠 What does tráfico mean?

Tráfico refers to the movement of vehicles, pedestrians, and other forms of transport along roads, streets, or through air or sea routes. It commonly describes the congestion or flow of vehicles in a city or on a particular route. The term can also refer to the illegal trade of goods, such as drugs or weapons.

📚 Extra examples

  • El tráfico en esta ciudad es terrible durante las horas pico.
    The traffic in this city is terrible during rush hour.
  • Perdimos nuestro vuelo debido al tráfico intenso en la autopista.
    We missed our flight due to heavy traffic on the highway.
  • La policía está combatiendo el tráfico de drogas en la frontera.
    The police are fighting drug trafficking at the border.
  • Hemos instalado cámaras para monitorear el tráfico en tiempo real.
    We have installed cameras to monitor traffic in real-time.
  • El ruido del tráfico es una molestia constante en este barrio.
    The traffic noise is a constant nuisance in this neighborhood.

💡 Did You Know?

While 'tráfico' most commonly refers to vehicle traffic, its root, 'traficar,' originally referred to the exchange or bartering of goods. This older meaning is still present when discussing illegal trade, such as 'tráfico de personas' (human trafficking).

🔁 Synonyms & opposites of "tráfico"

Synonyms: circulación, movimiento de vehículos
Opposites: despejado

🔍 See more travel spanish words

❓ FAQ

How do you say 'traffic' in Spanish?
The most common Spanish translation for 'traffic' is 'tráfico'.
How do you pronounce 'tráfico' in Spanish?
'Tráfico' is pronounced TRAH-fee-koh. The accent mark on the 'a' indicates that this syllable receives the stress.
How do you use 'tráfico' in a sentence?
'Tráfico' is used to describe the movement of vehicles or the congestion of vehicles. For example, 'Hay mucho tráfico hoy' (There is a lot of traffic today).
What is the English translation of 'tráfico'?
The primary English translation of 'tráfico' is 'traffic'.
Does 'tráfico' change for gender or number?
No, 'tráfico' is a masculine singular noun and does not change for gender or number when referring to the movement of vehicles. However, the concept of 'trafficking' (illegal trade) can sometimes be discussed in plural contexts if referring to multiple types of illegal goods, though the word itself remains 'tráfico'.
Is 'tráfico' common in everyday Spanish?
Yes, 'tráfico' is a very common word used in everyday Spanish, especially when discussing commutes, travel, and urban environments.
Does 'tráfico' have slang or double meanings?
While the primary meaning relates to vehicle movement, 'tráfico' can also refer to illegal trade or trafficking, such as 'tráfico de drogas' (drug trafficking). It does not have widespread slang meanings outside of these contexts.
Is 'tráfico' used differently in Spain vs Latin America?
The core meaning of 'tráfico' regarding vehicle movement and congestion is consistent across Spain and Latin America. The secondary meaning of illegal trafficking is also understood universally.

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