Spanish word

intermitente

Pronunciation

IPA/inteɾmiˈtente/

Meaning

  • masculine nounturn signal

Example

¿Dónde está el intermitente de este coche?

Where is the turn signal on this car?

Illustration for intermitente (turn signal)

More examples

¿Por qué no activaste el intermitente al girar?

Why didn't you turn on the turn signal when turning?

Core concept

Blinking indicator lamp on a vehicle.

Common phrases

  • señalar con el intermitente

    use the turn signal

  • activar el intermitente

    turn on the turn signal

Similar words

indicador de dirección: Blinking lamp on a vehicle that indicates left or right direction of travel.
señal de giro: Flashing signal lamp that notifies others the vehicle is turning.
direccional: Side-mounted flashing indicator that shows the vehicle's intended direction (left or right).

Definition in Spanish

Señal luminosa de un vehículo que parpadea para avisar que va a girar o cambiar de carril.

Word origin

From Latin intermittere 'to interrupt', Spanish intermitente began as an adjective meaning 'intermittent' and was nominalized to name the vehicle's blinking signal.

Usage tips

  • Spanish commonly uses poner el intermitente to mean 'activate the turn signal', so this phrase is the usual way to talk about signaling while driving.

Other meanings

  • flashing lightnoun

Word lists with this word