autoservicio
/autoseɾbiθjo/from spelling rules
The Spanish phrase for 'drive through' is autoservicio.
autoservicio refers to the type of service where customers can purchase products from their cars without leaving the vehicle. If you want to refer specifically to the window where you receive your food or service, use ventanilla de autoservicio. To say 'to order at the drive-through', you can use the phrase pedir en el drive-thru.
How do you pronounce it?
/autoseɾbiθjo/
Did you know?
- The term autoservicio is a calque of the English 'self-service', where auto is used to mean 'self' rather than 'automobile'.
- In many parts of the Spanish-speaking world, the word autoservicio is much more common for a supermarket where you pick your own groceries than it is for a fast-food window. Using it at a restaurant might lead someone to think you are talking about a grocery store.
- Because autoservicio can be ambiguous, some regions use pedido desde el coche to ensure the listener knows the customer is remaining in their vehicle.
Examples in context
- ¿Hay un autoservicio por aquí?Is there a drive-through around here?
- Prefiero usar el autoservicio para no bajar del coche.I prefer to use the drive-through so I don't have to get out of the car.
Example conversation
Elena and Mateo are deciding where to get lunch in their car.
- Elena¿Quieres ir al autoservicio de hamburguesas?Do you want to go to the burger drive-through?
- MateoSí, tengo mucha hambre y no quiero caminar.Yes, I am very hungry and I don't want to walk.
- ElenaPerfecto, yo manejo mientras tú eliges el menú.Perfect, I'll drive while you choose from the menu.
- MateoVale, vamos por ese autoservicio.Okay, let's go to that drive-through.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries autoservicio, CC BY-SA 4.0.
