pasar corriente a un auto
/pasaɾ korjente a un auto/from spelling rules
To jump start a car in Spanish is pasar corriente a un auto.
The phrase is used to describe starting a vehicle with a dead battery by connecting it to another vehicle's battery using cables. In many contexts, you can omit the object if it is clear what you are jumping starting and simply say pasar corriente.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase pasar corriente literally means 'to pass current'.
Which one should you use?
You may also use Arrancar un carro con cables to mean jump start a car. The phrase Arrancar el coche con pinzas specifically means to start the car with jumper cables.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In many Latin American countries, it is common to use the phrase pasar corriente a un auto. In Spain, people may use hacer puente to mean jump start a car.
Did you know?
- The Spanish word pinzas refers to 'clamps' or 'tongs'. When someone mentions pinzas in the context of a car, they are referring to the heavy-duty grips on the ends of the cables.
- The word corriente shares a common ancestor with the English word 'current', both stemming from the Latin 'currere', which means 'to run'.
- While auto is common in the Americas, the term coche is the dominant word for car in Spain. Using auto in some regions of Spain may sound distinctly foreign.
Examples in context
- Disculpe, ¿podría ayudarme a arrancar el carro con cables?Excuse me, could you help me jump start the car with cables?
- ¿Me puedes pasar corriente para arrancar el carro?Can you jump start the car for me?
- Perdona, ¿sabes cómo arrancar un automóvil con pinzas?Excuse me, do you know how to jump start a car with jumper cables?
- Necesito pasar corriente a un auto.I need to jump start a car.
- ¿Puedes pasar corriente a un auto con tu batería?Can you jump start a car with your battery?
- Él me ayudó a pasar corriente a un auto.He helped me jump start a car.
Example conversation
Alejandro's car will not start in the parking lot.
- AlejandroSofía, mi batería murió y no arranca.Sofía, my battery died and it won't start.
- SofíaNo te preocupes, yo puedo pasar corriente a un auto.Don't worry, I can jump start a car.
- Alejandro¿Tienes los cables en tu maleta?Do you have the cables in your trunk?
- SofíaSí, los traigo aquí conmigo.Yes, I have them here with me.
