sillita del coche
/siʝita del kot͡ʃe/from spelling rules
The English phrase "car seat" is translated into Spanish as sillita del coche.
The phrase refers to a seat used in a motor car. While sillita del coche is a common way to express this, you can also use asiento para niños to specifically refer to a child seat.
Meaning: seat in a motor car (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The term sillita del coche is the diminutive form of silla (chair or seat), literally meaning "little seat of the car".
Which one should you use?
While sillita del coche is widely used, asiento de coche is a more neutral and standard way to describe the object.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, the term portabebé is used to describe an infant car seat, though it translates to "baby carrier". In certain parts of Mexico, you may also hear asiento para bebé.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the plural "car seats", change the noun to its plural form to get sillitas del coche.
How do you pronounce it?
/siʝita del kotʃe/
Did you know?
- The word coche is a direct relative of the English word 'coach'. Both terms trace back to a 15th-century Hungarian village called Kocs, where a new type of horse-drawn vehicle was invented.
- The word silla comes from the Latin sella, which originally referred to a saddle. This linguistic history explains why Spanish uses the same root for both a dining chair and a horse's saddle.
- The word sillita uses the diminutive suffix -ita, which in Spanish does more than just describe size. It is often used to express affection or a sense of care, which is fitting for a child's seat.
Examples in context
- ¿Has comprado ya la silla de auto para el bebé?Have you already bought the car seat for the baby?
- El asiento de coche debe estar correctamente instalado para garantizar la seguridad del niño.The car seat should be correctly installed to ensure the child's safety.
- No olvides traer la sillita para el viaje en carro.Don't forget to bring the car seat for the car ride.
- La sillita del coche es nueva.The car seat is new.
- ¿Dónde pusiste la sillita del coche?Where did you put the car seat?
- Necesitamos comprar una sillita del coche.We need to buy a car seat.
Example conversation
A couple is preparing for a road trip with their baby.
- SofíaAlejandro, ¿tienes la sillita del coche?Alejandro, do you have the car seat?
- AlejandroSí, ya está en el maletero.Yes, it is already in the trunk.
- SofíaPerfecto, voy a buscar el bebé.Perfect, I am going to get the baby.
- AlejandroYo la instalo en el asiento.I will install it in the seat.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries coche, del, sillita, CC BY-SA 4.0.
