Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
Accident in Spanish: Accidente
Accidente · noun · ahk-see-DEHN-teh
The English word 'accident' translates directly to accidente in Spanish, a masculine noun. It refers to unplanned events ranging from traffic collisions to minor mishaps.
Pronounce accidente as ahk-see-DEHN-teh, with the stress on the third syllable.
Hubo un accidente en la carretera esta mañana.
There was an accident on the highway this morning.
Accident in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for accident, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| accidente | accident | ahk-see-DEHN-teh | Default, widely understood |
| percance | accident | minor mishap or incident | |
| siniestro | accident | used in insurance and legal contexts |
How Native Speakers Use Accidente
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Traffic incident
El accidente de tráfico causó un embotellamiento enorme.
The traffic accident caused a huge traffic jam.
Reporting on road conditions.
Workplace safety
El trabajador sufrió un accidente laboral y está en el hospital.
The worker suffered a workplace accident and is in the hospital.
Discussing an on-the-job injury.
Minor mishap
Fue un accidente; no quise romper el plato.
It was an accident; I didn't mean to break the plate.
Apologizing for an unintentional mistake.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Accidente
Single 'c' spelling
Incorrect: Hubo un acidente en la esquina.
Correct: Hubo un accidente en la esquina.
Accidente has a double 'c' in Spanish, just like in English. Dropping one 'c' is a common spelling error.
Wrong gender
Incorrect: La accidente fue muy grave.
Correct: El accidente fue muy grave.
Accidente is masculine in Spanish and takes the article el, not la.
Lock in Accident Vocabulary with the Parrot Method
Why word lists alone don't stick
Memorizing a translation feels productive, but most learners forget 70% of what they studied within 48 hours. Vocabulary needs spaced repetition AND real-world exposure to transfer to long-term memory.
See Accidente used by native speakers
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Common Questions About Accident in Spanish
- How do you say 'accident' in Spanish?
- Accident translates to accidente in Spanish, a masculine noun spelled with double 'c' just like its English counterpart.
- How do you report an accident in Spanish?
- You can say hubo un accidente (there was an accident) or tuve un accidente (I had an accident), followed by location details.
- What is the difference between accidente and percance?
- Accidente covers serious incidents like car crashes, while percance refers to a minor mishap or inconvenience, similar to 'setback' in English.