motor de arranque
/moˌtoɾ de aˈranke/
The Spanish phrase for car starter is motor de arranque.
This phrase refers to the electric motor that turns over the engine to start a vehicle.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of motor (motor), de (of) and arranque (start/startup/kickoff).
How do you pronounce it?
/moˌtoɾ de aˈranke/
Did you know?
- In some Latin American countries, people use the slang term el burro (the donkey) to refer to the starter motor when it struggles to turn over.
- In Spanish, arranque is used to describe the 'kickoff' or the start of a sports match and a political campaign.
- The word arranque comes from the verb arrancar, which can also mean 'to pull up' or 'to tear out', such as when pulling weeds from a garden.
Examples in context
- En el taller mecánico, necesito comprar un nuevo motor de arranque para mi automóvil.At the mechanic shop, I need to buy a new car starter for my car.
- El motor de arranque no funciona.The starter motor is not working.
- Necesito cambiar el motor de arranque.I need to change the car starter.
- El mecánico revisó el motor de arranque.The mechanic checked the car starter.
Example conversation
Elena and Alejandro are at a mechanic's shop.
- Elena¿Qué le pasa al coche, Alejandro?What is wrong with the car, Alejandro?
- AlejandroCreo que es el motor de arranque.I think it is the car starter.
- ElenaEspero que la reparación sea barata.I hope the repair is cheap.
- AlejandroOjalá, porque no tengo mucho dinero.I hope so, because I don't have much money.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry motor de arranque, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
