Spanish · Travel & Getting Around

"Traffic light" in Spanish: semáforo

el semáforo

Say it: seh-MAH-foh-rohmasculine · el semáforonoun/se.ˈma.fo.ɾo/

A traffic light is el semáforo. It is masculine. Stop when the semáforo is red.

Driving

Para en el semáforo rojo.
Stop at the red traffic light.
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How to pronounce semáforo

Say it

seh-MAH-foh-roh

/se.ˈma.fo.ɾo/

seh-MAH-foh-roh. Stress MAH. Accent on á.

"Traffic light" in Spanish: quick reference

SpanishEnglish
el semáforothe traffic light

Default noun.

semáforo en rojored light

Stop.

semáforo en verdegreen light

Go.

en el semáforoat the traffic light

Meeting or turning point.

How to use semáforo in real life

  1. 1Driving

    Para en el semáforo rojo.

    Stop at the red traffic light.

    En el semáforo.

  2. 2Walking

    Cruzamos cuando el semáforo cambie.

    We'll cross when the light changes.

    El semáforo.

  3. 3Taxi

    Bájame en el semáforo, por favor.

    Drop me at the traffic light, please.

    En el semáforo.

Mistakes English speakers make with semáforo

Incorrect: La semáforo está verde.

Correct: El semáforo está verde.

Semáforo is masculine: el semáforo.

Incorrect: Espera en el traffic light.

Correct: Espera en el semáforo.

Use semáforo, not English.

Good to know

Drivers say semáforo en rojo or en verde. Point to el semáforo if spoken directions get noisy.

Try it in a ChatPal conversation

Crossing a busy avenue

  1. ChatPal

    Espera el semáforo en verde.

    Wait for the green traffic light.

  2. You

    Ok. El semáforo sigue en rojo.

    Ok. The light is still red.

  3. ChatPal

    Ahora sí. Cruza conmigo.

    Now yes. Cross with me.

  4. You

    Listo. Pasamos el semáforo.

    Done. We're past the traffic light.

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"Traffic light" in other languages

FAQ

Common questions about "Traffic light" in Spanish

Is semáforo masculine?

Yes: el semáforo, un semáforo.

How do you pronounce semáforo?

Seh-MAH-foh-roh. Accent on á in semáforo.

Red light?

Semáforo en rojo.

At the light?

En el semáforo.

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