Ways to say it
| Portuguese | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| carro | /ˈka.ʁu/ (Brazil) /ˈka.ʁu/ (Rio de Janeiro) |
masculine |
| viatura | /vi.aˈtu.ɾɐ/ (Brazil) /vjaˈtu.ɾɐ/ (Brazil) |
feminine |
| automóvel | /aw.toˈmɔ.vew/ (Brazil) /aw.tuˈmɔ.vɛl/ (Portugal) |
masculine |
The term refers to an automobile, a vehicle steered by a driver.
Which one should you use?
While carro is the standard term, automóvel is used for a more formal or technical sense of 'automobile'. Viatura specifically refers to a vehicle in a service or official capacity, such as a police or military car.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For a more formal or technical tone, often seen in news or official documents, use automóvel. For official or service vehicles, use viatura. You may also hear the diminutive carrinho used in an affectionate or playful manner.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Brazil, the informal term caranga is used specifically to refer to an old or beat-up car.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
To make carro plural, add -s to get carros. The plural of automóvel is formed by changing the final -l to -is to get automóveis.
How do you pronounce it?
Two syllables, with the stress on the first: /ˈka.ʁu/.
Did you know?
- The word carrinho can refer to a toy car, a shopping trolley or even a baby stroller.
- The word carro is the same word used in Portuguese to describe a horse-drawn carriage.
- The term viatura entered Portuguese as a loanword from the French word voiture.
Examples in context
- O carro é azul.The car is blue.This sentence is useful for describing the color of a carro.Tatoeba #1394269 by alexmarcelo, translation #1394266 by Spamster
- O carro é ruim.The car is bad.This sentence is useful for expressing that a carro is bad.Tatoeba #4388121 by ajdavidl, translation #3050137 by DJ_Saidez
- O carro é caro.The car is expensive.This sentence is useful for stating that a carro is expensive.Tatoeba #10121510 by lucasdcs, translation #10121503 by espamatics
- Eu comprei um novo automóvel.I bought a new car.
- O trânsito está congestionado com tantos veículos.The traffic is congested with so many cars.
- Vamos dar uma volta de carro.Let's go for a ride in the car.
- O seu carrinho vermelho é muito bonito!Your little red car is very cute!
- A minha caranga está precisando de conserto.My old car needs repairs.
- 2171 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Gabriel and Mariana are in a parking lot.
- GabrielOnde está o seu carro?Where is your car?
- MarianaO meu carro está ali.My car is over there.
- GabrielAquele carro é muito grande.That car is very big.
- MarianaSim, ele é excelente.Yes, it is excellent.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “car” translations and entries carro, viatura, automóvel, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries automóvel, carro, viatura, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
