Spanish word

rodeo

Pronunciation

IPA/roˈðeo/

Meaning

  • masculine noundetour

Example

Voy a dar un rodeo porque hay tráfico.

I'm going to take a detour because there's traffic.

Illustration for rodeo (detour)

More examples

Hice un rodeo para evitar la manifestación.

I took a detour to avoid the demonstration.

Core concept

A circuitous course that bypasses an obstruction and delays arrival.

Common phrases

  • dar un rodeo

    take a detour

  • hacer un rodeo

    take a detour

Similar words

desvío: Uses a temporary alternate road to avoid construction or an accident.
vuelta: Takes a longer route while traveling to a destination.
atajo: Chooses a shorter route or passage to reach the destination sooner.

Definition in Spanish

Trayecto más largo que se toma para evitar un obstáculo o impedimento, causando un retraso respecto al camino directo.

Word origin

From the verb rodear 'to go around' combined with the noun suffix -eo, originally referring to the act of going around something.

Usage tips

  • Spanish rodeo is a false friend with English 'rodeo' (cowboy show), and the phrase dar un rodeo plus por + reason clarifies whether the speaker means a physical bypass or a figurative roundabout.

Other meanings

  • rodeonoun
  • enclosurenoun

Opposites

  • atajoshortcutnoun

Related words

  • rodearsurroundverb
  • rodeadosurroundedadjective

Word lists with this word