teleferic: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2 (Low-Frequency Technical/Specific Term)Formal, Technical, Geographic/Tourism Contexts
Quick answer
What does “teleferic” mean?
A system of transportation using cable cars or cabins suspended from a cable, often used for transporting people or materials across difficult terrain.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A system of transportation using cable cars or cabins suspended from a cable, often used for transporting people or materials across difficult terrain.
The term can refer to the system itself, the cableway, or an individual cabin/gondola within that system. Often used in specific contexts like ski resorts, urban transport over rivers or valleys, and industrial/material transport.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, 'cable car' is the dominant generic term. 'Teleferic' is very rare and would be considered a technical or foreign borrowing. In American English, the term is virtually unknown in common usage; 'aerial tramway', 'gondola', or 'cable car' are used. 'Teleferic' might be encountered in historic or very specific engineering contexts.
Connotations
In British usage, it may carry a slight connotation of being European or old-fashioned. In American usage, it is largely unrecognized and would likely be perceived as a foreign word.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both dialects. Highest potential recognition is among engineers, historians of transport, or seasoned travellers to regions like the Alps, Pyrenees, or South America where the term might be used on signage.
Grammar
How to Use “teleferic” in a Sentence
The teleferic + VERB (ascends, connects, offers)Take/Catch/Ride + the + teleferic + to + PLACEVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Potentially in tourism project proposals or transport infrastructure reports.
Academic
Used in engineering, history of technology, or human geography papers discussing transport systems.
Everyday
Very rare. Likely only used by tourists describing a specific experience abroad.
Technical
The primary register. Used in engineering specifications, technical drawings, and transport system classifications.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “teleferic”
- Confusing it with 'funicular' (which runs on rails).
- Using 'teleferic' in general conversation where 'cable car' is expected, leading to confusion.
- Misspelling as 'teleferick', 'telefric', or 'teleferiq'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Very similar. A teleferic is a type of aerial lift, and many gondola lifts are teleferics. However, 'gondola' often refers to detachable systems with many cabins, while 'teleferic' or 'aerial tramway' may imply larger cabins on a fixed cable loop.
For general communication, always use 'cable car' (UK) or 'aerial tramway/gondola' (US). Use 'teleferic' only if you are certain your audience is familiar with the technical term or you are directly translating from a context where it is the official name.
On signage and in official names for transport systems in Romance-language speaking countries (e.g., Italy, Spain, France, Romania, parts of South America) and in historical or engineering texts.
It derives from French 'téléférique', itself from Greek 'tēle-' (far) and Latin 'ferre' (to carry), meaning 'far-carrying'.
A system of transportation using cable cars or cabins suspended from a cable, often used for transporting people or materials across difficult terrain.
Teleferic is usually formal, technical, geographic/tourism contexts in register.
Teleferic: in British English it is pronounced /ˌtɛlɪˈfɛrɪk/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌtɛləˈfɛrɪk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A bird's-eye view from the teleferic”
- “It's a teleferic ride to the top (meaning: a smooth, elevated journey, often used metaphorically for an easy path to success).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'TELEphone' + 'FERrum' (Latin for iron). An 'iron telephone line' in the sky that carries cabins instead of sound.
Conceptual Metaphor
A MECHANICAL BRIDGE IN THE SKY; A MOUNTAIN ELEVATOR.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'teleferic' MOST likely to be used correctly?