carro
everyday, Costa Rica
In Costa Rica a car is a carro. Vehículo is the formal word for paperwork and official talk, and auto is also understood.
Meaning: road vehicle for passengers (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | Note |
|---|---|
| carro | everyday, Costa Rica |
| vehículo | formal |
| auto | also used |
People say voy en carro for "I go by car" and saqué el carro for "I took the car out". Official forms about registration use vehículo.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The word coche is Spanish from Spain and sounds foreign to Ticos, while carro is the normal choice in Costa Rica and much of Central America.
Did you know?
- Costa Rica has a yearly vehicle inspection called la revisión técnica, often just la riteve after the company that runs it.
Examples in context
- Voy en carro al trabajo.I go to work by car.
- Mi carro es nuevo.My car is new.
- Necesito revisar el vehículo.I need to have the vehicle inspected.
Example conversation
Pablo asks his sister Lucía for a ride.
- Pablo¿Me prestás el carro hoy?Can you lend me the car today?
- LucíaLo necesito en la tarde.I need it in the afternoon.
- PabloEstá bien, lo devuelvo temprano.Fine, I will return it early.
