Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
Crash in Spanish: Choque
Choque · noun · CHOH-keh
Choque is the most direct Spanish translation for crash, specifically referring to a collision between vehicles or objects. For the verb 'to crash,' Spanish uses 'chocar' (to collide) or 'estrellarse' (to crash into something violently). When discussing a computer crash, 'fallo del sistema' is appropriate, while a stock market crash is a 'desplome' or 'caída.'
CHOH-keh
Hubo un choque en la autopista que causó mucho tráfico.
There was a crash on the highway that caused a lot of traffic.
Crash in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for crash, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| choque | crash | CHOH-keh | Default, widely understood |
| accidente | crash | general accident | |
| estrellarse | crash | verb: to crash | |
| caída | crash | system/market crash |
How Native Speakers Use Choque
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Traffic accident
El choque entre los dos camiones bloqueó toda la carretera.
The crash between the two trucks blocked the entire road.
A vehicular collision causing disruption.
Plane crash
El avión se estrelló contra la montaña durante la tormenta.
The plane crashed into the mountain during the storm.
Describing an aviation disaster.
Computer
Mi computadora tuvo una caída del sistema y perdí todo el trabajo.
My computer had a crash and I lost all my work.
Technology failure.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Choque
Using crash as loanword for vehicles
Incorrect: Tuve un crash en la carretera ayer.
Correct: Tuve un choque en la carretera ayer.
For physical collisions between vehicles, Spanish uses 'choque' or 'accidente.' The English loanword 'crash' is not standard in Spanish for vehicular accidents.
Using chocar transitively
Incorrect: Choqué mi carro contra el poste.
Correct: Se me chocó el carro contra el poste. / Choqué contra el poste.
In standard Spanish, 'chocar' is intransitive — you crash against something (chocar contra), not crash something. The reflexive construction or the preposition 'contra' is required.
Lock in Crash 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 Choque used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using choque in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear Hubo un choque en la autopista que causó mucho tráfico. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
Save, review, repeat, stay consistent
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Common Questions About Crash in Spanish
- How do I say 'the computer crashed' in Spanish?
- Common expressions include 'la computadora se colgó' (it hung/froze), 'el sistema se cayó' (the system went down), or 'la computadora falló' (the computer failed). In tech-savvy circles, 'se crasheó' is sometimes heard as informal slang borrowed from English.
- What is the difference between choque and accidente?
- A 'choque' specifically refers to a collision — the physical impact between objects. An 'accidente' is broader and encompasses any unplanned harmful event, whether or not a collision occurred. Every choque is an accidente, but not every accidente involves a choque.
- How do you say stock market crash in Spanish?
- A stock market crash is called a 'desplome bursátil' or 'caída del mercado.' The word 'desplome' conveys a sudden, dramatic collapse, while 'caída' (fall) can describe either gradual declines or sharp drops depending on the modifiers used.