autocīnētum
neuter
The Latin word for car is autocīnētum. Wiktionary also lists autocurrus and autovehiculum.
Meaning: automobile, a vehicle steered by a driver (noun)
Ways to say it
| Latin | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| autocīnētum | neuter | |
| autocurrus | masculine | |
| autovehiculum | [au̯.tɔ.weˈ(ɦ)ɪ.kʊ.ɫũː] (Classical Latin, narrow) [au̯.to.veˈiː.ku.lum] (narrow) |
neuter |
| autoraeda | [au̯.tɔˈrae̯.da] (Classical Latin, narrow) [au̯.toˈrɛː.da] (narrow) |
feminine |
Which one should you use?
autocurrus is a masculine noun that implies a motorized version of a traditional chariot or carriage. autoraeda is a feminine noun derived from the word for a heavy coach or carriage, typically used for longer journeys. autovehiculum is a neuter noun used as a generic term for any motor vehicle.
How does it change in a sentence?
autocīnētum is a neuter noun, meaning it will take neuter endings for adjectives and verbs in a sentence.
Did you know?
- Because Latin is a dead language, these terms are part of 'Neo-Latin', a specialized vocabulary created by scholars to describe modern objects like automobiles.
- The prefix 'auto-' used in these words is actually a loanword from Greek, which was frequently incorporated into later Latin to describe new technologies.
- In Classical Latin, the word currus was specifically used for two-wheeled racing chariots, such as those seen in the Circus Maximus.
Examples in context
- Autoraeda constitit.The car stopped.This sentence shows how to use autoraeda to describe a car stopping.Tatoeba #3279470 by alexlee, translation #2883595 by AlanF_US
Example conversation
Claudia and Lucius are standing in a parking lot.
- ClaudiaVide, Luci! Id est autocīnētum meum.Look, Lucius! That is my car.
- LuciusEstne autocīnētum novum?Is the car new?
- ClaudiaIta, hodiē id ēmī.Yes, I bought it today.
- LuciusPulchrum est.It is beautiful.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “car” translations and entries autocurrus, autovehiculum, autoraeda, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
