llaves del coche
/ʝabes del kot͡ʃe/from spelling rules
The English phrase "car keys" is translated into Spanish as llaves del coche.
This phrase refers to the keys used to unlock and start a car.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of llaves (keys) and del coche (of the car).
Is it said differently in some regions?
The word for car changes depending on where you are. In Spain, las llaves del coche is the preferred way to say car keys. In Mexico, las llaves del carro is commonly used in informal settings. Throughout many parts of Latin America, llaves del carro is used instead of coche because carro is the standard word for car. In the Southern Cone and certain other regions, such as Argentina or Chile, llaves del auto is very common as auto is a frequent way to refer to a car.
How does it change in a sentence?
If you are referring to a single key, use the singular la llave del coche instead of the plural las llaves del coche.
How do you pronounce it?
/ʝabes del kotʃe/
Did you know?
- The term coche shares a common ancestor with the English word 'coach'. Both words travel through history back to a single Hungarian village named Kocs, famous for 15th-century carriage manufacturing.
- In some Spanish-speaking regions, carro can refer to a shopping cart, which could lead to confusion when asking for llaves del carro.
- In certain contexts, the term llave can refer to a faucet or a tap, which is essentially a 'key' that opens water flow.
Examples in context
- Dame las llaves del coche.Give me the car keys.This sentence is useful for requesting the llaves del coche.Tatoeba #4658806 by Shishir, translation #3151481 by CK
- Tengo las llaves del coche.I've got the car keys.This sentence is useful for stating that you have the llaves del coche.Tatoeba #3657832 by peibolvig, translation #3374742 by CK
- ¿Dónde puse las llaves del coche?Where did I put my car keys?This sentence is useful for asking about the location of the llaves del coche.Tatoeba #8612612 by arh, translation #8600235 by CK
- Por favor, no olvides las llaves del coche antes de salir.Please don't forget the car keys before leaving.
- El conductor le entregó las llaves del automóvil al valet.The driver handed the car keys to the valet.
- ¿Dónde dejaste las llaves del carro?Where did you leave the car keys?
- ¡No puedo encontrar las llaves del auto!I can't find the car keys!
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mateo and María are ready to leave for a trip.
- Mateo¿Tienes las llaves del coche?Do you have the car keys?
- MaríaNo, no encuentro las llaves del coche.No, I can't find the car keys.
- MateoEstán sobre la mesa, María.They are on the table, María.
- MaríaAh, sí, aquí están las llaves del coche.Ah, yes, here are the car keys.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries coche, del, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
