viernes, 24 de septiembre de 2010

Journey, trip, voyage, travel

These words may be confusing for some Spanish students. Travel is a verb (‘viajar’), but we can also use it as a noun in some fixed expressions: travel agency, foreign travel, air travel, on my travels or when we mean ‘travelling in general’: My interests are music and travel.

Generally speaking the Spanish noun ‘viaje’ is translated as journey or trip into English. Journey emphasizes the distance or time travelling takes (a twenty-minute bus journey, a train journey) whereas trip dwells on everything -distance, purpose, return (a two-day business trip). Trip can also mean ‘excursión’ (a school trip).

Voyage is a long journey on a ship or spaceship.

We always use the verb make with journey, trip and voyage and the preposition on: She’s away on a business trip; I never make a journey without my ID.

Self-study activity:
Complete the gaps with travel, journey, trip, or voyage.

1. Our parents wished us a safe … as we drove away.
2. My parents are planning their first … abroad.
3. The whole family went on a (…) to Florida.
4. The ship sank on its first (…).
5. Before a holiday it’s convenient to make all (…) arrangements.

Key:
1. journey   2. trip   3. trip   4. voyage   5. travel