automóvil
/autoˈmobil/masculine
The English phrase automobile means automóvil in Spanish. Wiktionary also lists carro and coche.
Meaning: passenger vehicle (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| automóvil | /autoˈmobil/ | masculine |
| carro | /ˈkaro/ | masculine |
| coche | /ˈkot͡ʃe/ | masculine |
| auto | /ˈauto/ | masculine |
All these terms refer to a passenger vehicle. If you need a formal and general term for any type of vehicle, including automobiles, you may use Vehículo.
Which one should you use?
While automóvil specifically means automobile, it is more formal and less common in daily conversation than the other forms auto, coche or carro.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Regional preferences vary: coche is the standard word in Spain, carro is the most common term in Mexico and auto is widely used in Argentina. In Colombia, automóvil is used as a slightly more formal term in professional settings.
How do you pronounce it?
/autoˈmobil/
Did you know?
- The word coche is a relative of the English word 'coach' and traces back to Kocs, a Hungarian village famous for 15th-century horse-drawn carriages.
- While carro is common in Mexico, in other Spanish-speaking regions it can refer specifically to a cart or a trolley rather than a motorized vehicle.
- While automóvil is perfectly correct, using it in a casual street conversation might make you sound overly formal or like a technical manual.
Examples in context
- Lo atropelló un auto.An automobile ran over him.This sentence uses auto.Tatoeba #2258109 by hayastan, translation #2258108 by _undertoad
- El automóvil se detuvo.The automobile stopped.This sentence uses automóvil.Tatoeba #2267958 by cueyayotl, translation #2267957 by _undertoad
- Llevaba mucho gas aquel automóvil.That automobile was going very fast.Tatoeba #2267796 by cueyayotl, translation #2267795 by _undertoad
- Necesito comprar un automóvil nuevo para mi trabajo.I need to buy a new automobile for my work.
- ¿Me prestas tu coche para ir al supermercado?Will you lend me your car to go to the supermarket?
- Voy a alquilar un vehículo durante mi viaje a España.I am going to rent a vehicle during my trip to Spain.
- 20 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Daniel and Elena are looking at a car for sale.
- DanielMira este automóvil, es muy elegante.Look at this automobile, it is very elegant.
- ElenaSí, pero parece muy caro, Daniel.Yes, but it seems very expensive, Daniel.
- DanielEl dueño dice que el automóvil es nuevo.The owner says that the automobile is new.
- ElenaVamos a preguntar el precio entonces.Let's ask for the price then.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “automobile” translations and entries automóvil, carro, coche, auto, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries auto, automóvil, carro, coche, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
