Ways to say it
| Russian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| автомоби́ль | avtomobílʹ | masculine |
| автомаши́на | avtomašína | feminine |
| маши́на | mašína | feminine, informal |
| авто́ | avtó | colloquial, neuter |
| та́чка | táčka | feminine, slang |
| мото́р | motór | dated, masculine |
The terms used to describe a passenger vehicle range from highly formal technical terms to street slang. While автомоби́ль refers to an automobile, the word маши́на is the most common way to say car. Metaphorically, маши́на can also be used to describe a person who is highly skilled or performs tasks with great efficiency.
Which one should you use?
Автомоби́ль is the standard formal term. Автомаши́на serves as a more technical or formal synonym that is less common in casual conversation. Маши́на is the much more frequent, everyday word used to mean car. For very casual settings, авто́ is a shortened colloquial form similar to the English 'auto', while та́чка is slang similar to calling a car a 'ride' or 'wheels'.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Автомоби́ль is the formal term for automobile. Автомаши́на is also formal or technical. Маши́на is the common, everyday informal choice. Авто́ is colloquial, and та́чка is slang.
How does it change in a sentence?
Автомоби́ль is a masculine noun. Its plural form is автомобили. Маши́на and автомаши́на are feminine nouns. Авто́ is a neuter noun. Та́чка is a feminine noun. Мото́р is a masculine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
avtomobílʹ
Did you know?
- The slang term та́чка shares the same root as the word for 'wheelbarrow'. This implies the car is a small cart or a utility vehicle.
- The word автомаши́на is often found in official police reports or legal documents to avoid the ambiguity of the word маши́на, which could technically mean any machine.
- While маши́на usually means 'car', it is also the standard word for a 'machine' or any complex mechanism. You might use the same word to talk about your vehicle and a factory's industrial equipment.
Examples in context
- На выставке были представлены самые новые автомобили.The newest automobiles were showcased at the exhibition.
- Какая у тебя машина?What kind of car do you have?
- Новый автомоби́ль стоит очень дорого.Novyy avtomobil' stoit ochen' dorogo.The new automobile is very expensive.
- Этот автомоби́ль стоит в гараже.Etot avtomobil' stoit v garazhe.This automobile is in the garage.
Example conversation
Ekaterina and Sergey are discussing a car they saw on the street.
- Екатерина EkaterinaПосмотри, какой красивый автомоби́ль!Posmotri, kakoy krasivyy avtomobil'!Look, what a beautiful automobile!
- Сергей SergeyДа, он выглядит очень мощным.Da, on vyglyadit ochen' moshchnym.Yes, it looks very powerful.
- Екатерина EkaterinaСергей, ты хочешь такой автомоби́ль?Sergey, ty khochesh' takoy avtomobil'?Sergey, do you want an automobile like that?
- Сергей SergeyКонечно, но он слишком дорогой.Konechno, no on slishkom dorogoy.Of course, but it is too expensive.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “automobile” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
