bici
/ˈbiθi/feminine
In Spanish, the word for bike is bici.
You can use it in phrases like montar en bici to mean riding a bike, or en bici to indicate traveling by bike.
Meaning: bicycle (noun)
Which one should you use?
While bici is the most common shortened version, the full word bicicleta is the standard form. For older contexts, you might encounter the term velocípedo.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Bici is an informal term used frequently in daily conversation. In more formal or standard situations, you should use the full word bicicleta.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Colombia and a few other countries, the informal term cicla may be used instead of bicicleta.
How does it change in a sentence?
As a feminine noun, bici requires the feminine article la (e.g., la bici) rather than the masculine el. To express traveling by bike, use the preposition en before the word.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈbiθi/
Did you know?
- In Spain, the letter c in bici is often pronounced like the English 'th' in 'think'. However, in Latin America, it is pronounced as an 's' sound.
- In some Spanish-speaking regions, the act of riding a bike is expressed as montar en bici, which literally translates to 'mounting' or 'climbing onto' the bike.
- The term ciclista refers to a cyclist, but in many Spanish-speaking countries, it is also the standard way to refer to a professional athlete in the sport of cycling.
Examples in context
- Se bajó de la bici.He got off his bike.This sentence shows how to use bici when someone is getting off a bike.Tatoeba #7949993 by Seael, translation #7385071 by CH
- ¿Sabes montar en bici?Do you know how to ride a bike?This sentence demonstrates the phrase for knowing how to ride a bike using bici.Tatoeba #6789193 by arh, translation #6788833 by CK
- Voy al trabajo en bici.I bike to work.This sentence illustrates how to use bici to say you are commuting by bike.Tatoeba #13652872 by Seael, translation #264478 by CK
- ¿Dónde puedo alquilar una bicicleta en esta ciudad?Where can I rent a bike in this city?
- Vamos en bici al parque hoy.Let's go to the park on our bikes today.
- Mi hermana acaba de comprarse una cicla nueva.My sister just bought herself a new bike.
- 155 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alejandro and Lucía are meeting in a park.
- Alejandro¡Hola, Lucía! ¿Trajiste tu bici?Hi, Lucía! Did you bring your bike?
- LucíaSí, la bici está en el coche.Yes, the bike is in the car.
- AlejandroPerfecto, yo también tengo la mía.Perfect, I have mine too.
- LucíaEntonces, ¡vamos a pasear!Then, let's go for a ride!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “bike” translations and entries bici, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
