How to Say "Car Hood" in Spanish

capó

/kaˈpo/

The Spanish phrase for "car hood" is capó.

capó refers to the hinged cover over the engine of a motor vehicle.

Which one should you use?

It is important not to confuse capó (hood) with maletero, which refers to the trunk or boot located at the rear of the vehicle.

In Latin America, particularly in Mexico, the term cofre is sometimes used to refer to a car hood.

The plural form of capó is capós.

/kaˈpo/

The word capó is a linguistic doublet of capote, which refers to the large, heavy cape used by bullfighters in the ring.
In Spain, if you ask for a cofre, people will think you are looking for a jewelry box or a pirate's treasure chest rather than a car part.

No te sientes en el capó del coche, que lo vas a abollar.
Don't sit on the car hood, you'll dent it.
This sentence is useful for warning someone not to sit on the capó to avoid denting it.
Tatoeba #10185606 by saverius, translation #12946655 by saverius
El mecánico levantó el capó del coche para inspeccionar el motor.
The mechanic lifted the car hood to inspect the engine.
Hay una mancha de aceite en el capó.
There is an oil stain on the hood.
El capó está muy caliente todavía.
The hood is still very hot.

Daniel and Lucía are looking at their car in a parking lot.

Daniel

Lucía, ¿puedes revisar algo en el capó?
Lucía, can you check something on the hood?
Lucía

Claro, ¿qué pasa con el capó, Daniel?
Sure, what is wrong with the hood, Daniel?
Daniel

Creo que el capó no cierra bien.
I think the hood is not closing properly.
Lucía

Déjame intentar cerrarlo de nuevo.
Let me try to close it again.

Sources

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