Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| macchina | /ˈmak.ki.na/ | feminine |
| automobile | /aw.toˈmɔ.bi.le/ | feminine |
| auto | /ˈa.u.to/ | feminine |
| vettura | /vetˈtu.ra/ | feminine |
| autovettura | /aw.to.vetˈtu.ra/ | feminine |
All forms of this word refer to a passenger vehicle.
Which one should you use?
automobile is a direct translation used in technical, journalistic or official contexts. vettura is used in elegant or legal contexts, such as when discussing luxury cars or transport law.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For daily conversation, macchina is the standard informal term and auto is a common, colloquial shortened form frequently seen in advertising. If you are writing an official document or a journalistic piece, use automobile. For more elegant or technical descriptions involving luxury vehicles or transport, use vettura.
How does it change in a sentence?
All forms of this word are feminine nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation of macchina is /ˈmak.ki.na/.
What mistakes should you avoid?
When using macchina, remember that it is a polysemous word. It can mean both 'car' and 'machine' depending on the context.
Did you know?
- While macchina is the standard word for 'car', it is also used in Italian to refer to a 'camera' when shortened to macchina fotografica.
- In certain regional contexts, vettura can evoke the image of a horse-drawn carriage, as the term predates the internal combustion engine.
- The term macchina comes from the Ancient Greek word makhaná, which originally meant a 'device' or 'means'.
Examples in context
- Un'automobile ha quattro ruote.An automobile has four wheels.This sentence illustrates a basic characteristic of an automobile.Tatoeba #3373837 by Guybrush88, translation #264512 by CM
- Chi inventò la prima automobile?Who invented the first automobile?This sentence is used to ask about the history of the automobile.Tatoeba #2036046 by Guybrush88, translation #680298 by Source_VOA
- Questa fabbrica produce parti di automobili.This factory manufactures automobile parts.This sentence uses the word auto to discuss manufacturing parts.Tatoeba #3632193 by Guybrush88, translation #236776 by CK
- Ho comprato una nuova automobile.I have bought a new car.
- Vado a prendere l'auto dal parcheggio.I'm going to pick up the car from the parking lot.
- Ho prenotato una macchina per il mio viaggio.I have booked a car for my trip.
- 42 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Martina and Francesco are deciding how to travel to a party.
- MartinaFrancesco, prendiamo la tua macchina?Francesco, shall we take your car?
- FrancescoSì, la mia macchina è proprio davanti.Yes, my car is right in front.
- MartinaPerfetto, così non andiamo a piedi.Perfect, that way we don't walk.
- FrancescoVa bene, andiamo subito.Alright, let's go right away.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “automobile” translations and entries macchina, automobile, auto, vettura, autovettura, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries auto, automobile, macchina, vettura, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
