auto
/ˈauto/
auto is the Spanish term for car.
The term auto is a shortened version of the word for automobile and is used to refer to a car.
Which one should you use?
While auto is a common shortened form, you may find that coche is more frequently used in Spain and carro is more common in many parts of Latin America.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Argentina, the preferred term is auto. In some areas of Mexico, the term troca might be used specifically when referring to a truck or pickup.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun auto is masculine and is typically preceded by the masculine article el (e.g., el auto). The plural form is autos.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈauto/
Did you know?
- The word auto shares its root with the Greek word autós, meaning 'self'. This describes the car's ability to move by itself without being pulled by animals.
- In Mexico, people may use the word troca for a truck, which is a direct phonetic borrowing from the English word 'truck'.
- While auto means car, the Spanish word autopista refers specifically to a high-speed highway or motorway.
Examples in context
- El auto estaba en la mitad del camino.The auto was in the middle of the road.This sentence shows the position of the auto in a sentence.Tatoeba #2267956 by cueyayotl, translation #2267955 by _undertoad
- El edificio que ves allá es una fábrica de autos.The building you see over there is an auto factory.This sentence uses the plural form autos to describe a factory.Tatoeba #1561868 by marcelostockle, translation #32068 by shekitten
- Si el budismo es atractivo, es porque aparece como una posibilidad de tocar el infinito y de obtener felicidad sin tener alguna obligación religiosa concreta. Un auto-erotismo espiritual en cierta medida.If Buddhism is attractive, it is because it appears as a possibility of touching the infinite and obtaining happiness without having any concrete religious obligations. A spiritual auto-eroticism of some sort.This sentence uses the prefix auto- in a different linguistic context.Tatoeba #1179099 by marcelostockle, translation #410821 by Scott
- Necesito comprar un coche nuevo.I need to buy a new car.
- Me encantaría tener un automóvil de lujo.I would love to have a luxury car.
- Compré un carro usado para ir al trabajo.I bought a used car to go to work.
- No puedo esperar para manejar mi nuevo auto.I can't wait to drive my new car.
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sofía and Alejandro are in a parking lot.
- Sofía¿Dónde está tu auto?Where is your car?
- AlejandroEl auto es azul.The car is blue.
- Sofía¡Lo veo!I see it!
- AlejandroEs el auto de mi hermano.It is my brother's car.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry auto, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries auto, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
