autopista
B1Neutral to formal. Common in travel, news, and logistical contexts.
Definition
Meaning
A main road designed for fast travel, typically with multiple lanes in each direction, grade-separated junctions, and limited access.
A high-speed, long-distance road network, often toll-based, forming a major transport artery between cities or regions.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Implies a higher standard of road than a standard highway or main road. The primary sense is of controlled access and high-speed travel for long distances.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Direct equivalent is "motorway" (UK). "Autopista" is the Spanish term; the English equivalents are "motorway" (UK) and "freeway" or "interstate" (US).
Connotations
In US English, "freeway" or "interstate" is standard. "Autopista" itself is not used in standard English but is a direct loan/translation for specific contexts.
Frequency
The word "autopista" has zero frequency in English corpora. Its English equivalents are high-frequency.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
drive on/take the autopistaexit the autopista at junction...the autopista runs/connects/links...Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Life in the fast lane”
- “On the road to...”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used in logistics and travel planning. e.g., 'The new autopista will reduce delivery times.'
Academic
Appears in geography, transport studies, or Spanish language/culture contexts.
Everyday
Common when discussing travel in Spanish-speaking countries. e.g., 'We took the autopista to save time.'
Technical
Used in civil engineering, transport infrastructure, and urban planning documents, primarily referring to Spanish/Hispanic projects.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- We will motorway it to Manchester.
American English
- We'll freeway it all the way to LA.
adjective
British English
- motorway driving
- motorway services
American English
- freeway traffic
- freeway interchange
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The autopista is very long.
- Cars go fast on the autopista.
- We took the autopista to get to the city quickly.
- There is a lot of traffic on the autopista today.
- The new coastal autopista has significantly reduced journey times between the ports.
- Avoid the autopista during rush hour unless you want to be stuck in a jam.
- The controversial toll autopista has been criticised for pricing out local commuters, despite its engineering efficiency.
- Planners advocated for an extensive autopista network to stimulate economic development in the hinterland.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Auto (car) + pista (track) = a track for cars. Think of a fast 'auto-piste' for vehicles.
Conceptual Metaphor
ROADS ARE ARTERIES / CONDUITS (e.g., 'The autopista is the main artery of the region's transport system.').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not directly translate from Russian 'трасса' (trassa) which can mean any long-distance route, often a simple highway. An autopista is specifically a high-standard road.
- Do not confuse with 'avenida' or 'carretera'. An autopista is grade-separated; a carretera is not.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'autopista' in general English conversation instead of 'motorway' or 'freeway'.
- Confusing it with 'highway', which can be a lower-standard road.
Practice
Quiz
What is the most common British English equivalent for 'autopista'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, 'autopista' is a Spanish word. It is used in English only when specifically referring to Spanish or Latin American roads, or as a loanword in language teaching. The standard English terms are 'motorway' (UK) and 'freeway' or 'interstate' (US).
An 'autopista' is a controlled-access, high-speed road (like a motorway/freeway), often with tolls. A 'carretera' is a general term for a road or highway, which can be a single-carriageway road with intersections and level crossings.
It is not recommended. Use the appropriate English term: 'motorway' for UK contexts and 'freeway' or 'highway' for US contexts. Using 'autopista' may be marked as a non-English word unless you are specifically discussing Spanish infrastructure.
Not all, but many are. In Spanish terminology, 'autopista de peaje' is a toll motorway, while 'autopista libre' is a free motorway. The context or country determines whether a toll is expected.