kotse
/ˈkot͡ʃe/
The Tagalog word for car is kotse. Wiktionary also lists kar and awto.
Meaning: automobile, a vehicle steered by a driver (noun)
Ways to say it
| Tagalog | IPA |
|---|---|
| kotse | /ˈkot͡ʃe/ (Standard Tagalog) /ˈkotse/ |
| kar | /ˈkaɾ/ (Standard Tagalog) |
| awto | /ˈʔawto/ (Standard Tagalog) /ˈʔoto/ (Standard Tagalog) |
| awtomobil | /ʔawtoˈmobil/ (Standard Tagalog) /ˌʔotoˈmobil/ (Standard Tagalog) |
The term refers to an automobile or a vehicle steered by a driver. While kotse is common, you may also hear the word sasakyan, which means vehicle and is often used interchangeably with car.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Awto is more formal or technical than kotse.
How does it change in a sentence?
To make kotse plural, add the marker mga before it to form mga kotse.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈkotʃe/
Did you know?
- The word kotse is a linguistic journey that traveled from the Hungarian town of 'Kocs' through German 'Kutsche' and Spanish 'coche' before reaching the Philippines.
- The term sasakyan comes from the root word sakay, which means to ride, making the word for 'vehicle' literally mean 'something to ride'.
Examples in context
- May kotse ka ba?Do you have a car?This sentence is useful for asking if someone owns a kotse.Tatoeba #8664499 by England, translation #69236 by CK
- Bago ba itong awto?Is this car new?This sentence is useful for asking if an awto is new.Tatoeba #2135430 by nonong, translation #1673279 by Amastan
- May kotse sa labas.There's a car outside.This sentence is useful for stating the presence of a kotse outside.Tatoeba #11571418 by qwertzu, translation #11566607 by sundown
- Nasaan ho ang iyong kotse?Where is your car, sir/ma'am?
- 153 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Juan and Jasmine are discussing their plans to travel.
- JuanJasmine, may kotse ba tayong magagamit?Jasmine, do we have a car we can use?
- JasmineOo, Juan, gagamitin natin ang kotse ko.Yes, Juan, we will use my car.
- JuanSalamat! Malaki ba ang kotse mo?Thanks! Is your car big?
- JasmineHindi masyadong malaki ang kotse ko.My car is not that big.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “car” translations and entries kotse, kar, awto, awtomobil, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries awto, awtomobil, kar, kotse, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
