Ways to say it
| Hebrew | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| מְכוֹנִית | m'khonít | feminine |
| אוֹטוֹ | óto | colloquial, masculine |
The word refers to an automobile or a vehicle steered by a driver. You can use the term האוטו to mean 'the car', or the phrase האוטו של דוד to say 'the car of David'.
Which one should you use?
The word מְכוֹנִית is the standard, more formal term for a car. In contrast, אוֹטוֹ is a common colloquial term that serves as a shortening of the loanword 'auto' and is used frequently in everyday speech.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
מְכוֹנִית is the formal and standard version, while אוֹטוֹ is a colloquial form.
How does it change in a sentence?
מְכוֹנִית is a feminine noun, so any adjectives describing it must also be in the feminine form. The plural form of this word is מְכוֹנִיּוֹת or מכוניות. אוֹטוֹ is a masculine noun, so any adjectives describing it must also be in the masculine form.
How do you pronounce it?
m'khonít
Did you know?
- In Israel, the phrase להדליק את האוטו literally means 'to light the car', but it is the standard way to say 'to start the car'.
- The formal word מְכוֹנִית is derived from the root כ-ו-ן, which relates to being 'prepared' or 'adjusted', implying a vehicle that is 'mechanically tuned'.
- Even though מְכוֹנִית is the formal term, many Israelis use the word רֶכֶב (vehicle) to sound more professional or when discussing traffic laws and official transport regulations.
Examples in context
- האוטו שלי עלה הרבה כסףMy car cost a lot of money.
- הִיא קָנְתָה מְכוֹנִית חֲדָשָׁה.hi kanat mekhonit khadashah.She bought a new car.
Example conversation
Daniel and Agur are discussing a vehicle purchase.
- דניאל Danielעגור, את רוצה מְכוֹנִית חדשה?Agur, at rotza mekhonit khadashah?Agur, do you want a new car?
- עגור Adiכן, דניאל, אני צריכה אחת.Ken, Daniel, ani tzrikha akhat.Yes, Daniel, I need one.
- דניאל Danielאיזו מְכוֹנִית את מעדיפה?Eizey mekhonit at ma'adifa?Which car do you prefer?
- עגור Adiאני רוצה מְכוֹנִית קטנה וחסכונית.Ani rotza mekhonit ktana ve-khaskonit.I want a small and economical car.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “car” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
