Spanish word

frenazo

Pronunciation

IPA/fɾeˈnaθo/

Meaning

  • masculine nounhard braking

Example

El conductor dio un frenazo para evitar el accidente.

The driver braked hard to avoid the accident.

Illustration for frenazo (hard braking)

More examples

La pandemia provocó un frenazo económico en varios sectores.

The pandemic caused a sudden economic downturn in several sectors.

Core concept

Sudden heavy deceleration.

Common phrases

  • sufrir un frenazo

    undergo a sudden stop

  • un frenazo económico

    a sudden economic downturn

Similar words

frenada: A brief, forceful braking action that rapidly lowers speed.
freno: A vehicle's brake mechanism or system for reducing speed.
parada: The act or result of stopping movement completely.
ralentización: A steady slowing of movement marked by a progressive drop in speed.

Definition in Spanish

Acción brusca de frenar: aplicar los frenos con fuerza en un instante para detener o reducir la velocidad de forma repentina.

Word origin

Formed from the verb frenar 'to brake' and the augmentative/force suffix -azo, giving the sense of an abrupt, powerful braking event.

Usage tips

  • Contrast with freno, which names the brake device; frenazo names the action and commonly appears with dar (dar un frenazo) in reports of driving or sudden slowdowns.

Other meanings

  • sudden stopnoun
  • rapid decelerationnoun

Opposites

  • aceleraciónaccelerationnoun

Related words

  • frenarslow downverb
  • frenobrakenoun
  • frenadoslowedadjective

Word lists with this word