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carretera

highway

noun kah-rreh-TEH-rah Less Common

Also means

road

Usage Note

Carretera refers specifically to an intercity road or highway, distinct from a city street (calle) or a motorway (autopista). The phrase por carretera means 'by road' as opposed to rail or air. In Spain, major non-motorway roads are labelled carretera nacional (an N-route).

Examples

"La carretera está cortada por obras."

Natural Translation

The road is closed due to roadworks.

Literal Translation

The road is cut by works

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