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

📅 Published: April 26, 2026

✈️ Travel Spanish

tranvía

noun • /[tran-BEE-ah]/

tram

Example:

Tomamos el tranvía hasta el centro.

We took the tram to downtown.

🧠 What does tranvía mean?

The noun 'tranvía' refers to a public transport vehicle that runs on rails, typically laid in a city street. It is often electric and serves as a convenient way to travel within urban areas, similar to a tram or streetcar in English-speaking countries. Tranvías are a common feature in many European cities and some Latin American cities.

📚 Extra examples

  • Tomamos el tranvía para llegar al centro histórico de la ciudad.
    We took the tram to get to the city's historic center.
  • El tranvía serpentea por las calles adoquinadas.
    The tram winds through the cobblestone streets.
  • Comprar un billete para el tranvía es sencillo en las máquinas expendedoras.
    Buying a ticket for the tram is easy at the vending machines.
  • Algunas ciudades están recuperando el uso del tranvía como medio de transporte ecológico.
    Some cities are reviving the use of the tram as an ecological means of transport.

💡 Did You Know?

The first electric tramway in the world began operation in 1881 in Berlin, Germany, and the concept quickly spread globally. Many cities, after discontinuing tram services, have since reintroduced them as a sustainable and efficient urban transport solution.

🔁 Synonyms & opposites of "tranvía"

Synonyms: coche de calle, carro de tranvía, automotor tranviario

🔍 See more travel spanish words

❓ FAQ

How do you say 'tram' in Spanish?
The Spanish word for 'tram' is 'tranvía'.
How do you pronounce 'tranvía' in Spanish?
The pronunciation of 'tranvía' is roughly trahn-VEE-ah. The 'tr' is similar to English, 'a' is like the 'a' in 'father', 'v' is a soft 'v' sound, 'í' has an accent mark indicating stress on that syllable and sounds like the 'ee' in 'see', and the final 'a' is like the 'a' in 'about'.
How do you use 'tranvía' in a sentence?
'Tranvía' is used as a noun. For example, 'El tranvía es un transporte público muy popular.' (The tram is a very popular public transport.)
What is the English translation of 'tranvía'?
The English translation of 'tranvía' is 'tram' or 'streetcar'.
Does 'tranvía' change for gender or number?
Yes, 'tranvía' is a masculine noun. For gender, it is always masculine. For number, the singular form is 'tranvía' and the plural form is 'tranvías'.
Is 'tranvía' common in everyday Spanish?
'Tranvía' is common in Spanish-speaking cities that have or have had tram systems. While not as universally common as a bus or metro, it is a familiar term for those who use or have access to this mode of transportation.
Does 'tranvía' have slang or double meanings?
The word 'tranvía' does not typically have slang or double meanings in standard Spanish. It refers directly to the public transport vehicle.
Is 'tranvía' used differently in Spain vs Latin America?
The term 'tranvía' is understood and used in both Spain and Latin America. While specific local names for public transport might exist, 'tranvía' is the standard word for a tram or streetcar across the Spanish-speaking world.

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