Transport (AQA GCSE Spanish): Revision Notes
Transport
Understanding how to discuss different types of transport in Spanish is essential for describing journeys, expressing preferences, and making comparisons. This topic combines practical vocabulary with important grammar structures for making comparisons.
Transport vocabulary
Learning transport vocabulary helps you discuss travel options and express preferences about different ways of getting around. Here are the key terms you need to know:
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| el autobús | bus |
| el tren | train |
| el avión | plane |
| el barco | boat |
| la bicicleta | bicycle |
| el coche | car |
| la estación | station |
| el metro | metro, underground |
| el kilómetro | kilometre |
Notice that all transport nouns have a gender in Spanish. Most end in -o (masculine) or -a (feminine), but some like "el metro" are exceptions. Always learn the article (el/la) together with the noun to remember its gender.
Descriptive adjectives for transport
When discussing transport, you'll often want to describe the qualities of different methods. These adjectives are particularly useful:
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| rápido/a | quick, fast |
| práctico/a | practical |
| cómodo/a | comfortable |
| barato/a | cheap |
| caro/a | expensive |
Transport-related verbs
These action words help you talk about journeys and travel experiences:
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| durar | to take / last + time |
| ir a pie | to go on foot |
| llegar | to arrive |
| salir | to go out, depart |
| caminar | to walk |
Making comparisons with transport
When discussing different transport options, you'll frequently need to compare them. Spanish uses specific structures to express these comparisons effectively.
Comparative forms
To compare two things in Spanish, you use más (more) or menos (less) followed by que (than). This structure allows you to express preferences and highlight differences between transport options.
Structure: más/menos + adjective + que
This is the most common comparative structure in Spanish and is essential for making any comparison between transport options.
Worked Examples: Comparative Forms
- El coche es más rápido que la bicicleta. (The car is faster than the bicycle.)
- El autobús es menos caro que el taxi. (The bus is less expensive than the taxi.)
- El avión es más cómodo que el autobús. (The plane is more comfortable than the bus.)
Equal comparisons
When two things are equal, use tan + adjective + como (as...as). This structure is particularly useful when transport options have similar qualities.
Structure: tan + adjective + como
Remember: Use "tan...como" only when the qualities being compared are equal or very similar.
Worked Example: Equal Comparisons
El tren es tan barato como el autobús. (The train is as cheap as the bus.)
This shows that both transport methods cost approximately the same amount.
Irregular comparative forms
Some adjectives have irregular comparative forms that you need to memorise:
| English | Regular Spanish | Irregular Spanish |
|---|---|---|
| better | más bueno/a | mejor |
| worse | más malo/a | peor |
| older | más viejo/a | mayor |
| younger | más joven | menor |
These irregular forms are commonly used in everyday speech and cannot be formed using the regular más/menos structure. You must memorise them as exceptions.
Superlative forms
To express "the most" or "the least," add the definite article (el/la) before the comparative structure. This helps you identify the best or worst option among several choices.
Structure: el/la + más/menos + adjective
The article must agree with the gender of the noun being described.
Worked Examples: Superlative Forms
- El tren es el más rápido. (The train is the fastest.)
- Estos billetes son los más baratos. (These tickets are the cheapest.)
Notice how the article changes to match the noun: el tren (masculine singular) → el más rápido, los billetes (masculine plural) → los más baratos.
Example sentences in context
Understanding how these structures work in practical situations helps you apply the grammar naturally. Here are some real-world examples:
Practical Usage Examples
- Es más cómodo viajar en tren. (It's more comfortable travelling by train.)
- El metro es más rápido que el autobús en la ciudad. (The metro is faster than the bus in the city.)
- Viajar en avión es tan caro como el tren de alta velocidad. (Travelling by plane is as expensive as the high-speed train.)
Grammar and pronunciation tips
Key Grammar Points to Remember:
- Remember that adjectives must agree with the noun they describe (rápido/rápida, cómodo/cómoda)
- When using superlatives, the article must agree with the noun (el más rápido, la más cómoda, los más baratos)
- Practice the irregular comparatives as these are commonly used in everyday speech
Pronunciation Tip: The pronunciation of "que" sounds like "keh" - don't pronounce it like the English word "key."
Translation practice
Translation Exercise
Spanish to English:
- El autobús es menos rápido que el metro.
- Mi bicicleta es la más barata de todas.
English to Spanish:
- The plane is more expensive than the train.
- Walking is as healthy as cycling.
Answers:
Spanish to English:
- The bus is less fast than the metro.
- My bicycle is the cheapest of all.
English to Spanish:
- El avión es más caro que el tren.
- Caminar es tan sano como ir en bicicleta.
Key Points to Remember:
- Use más...que for "more than" and menos...que for "less than" comparisons
- Tan...como expresses equality ("as...as")
- Learn the irregular comparatives: mejor (better), peor (worse), mayor (older), menor (younger)
- Add el/la before comparatives to create superlatives ("the most/least")
- Adjectives must agree in gender and number with the nouns they describe