depósito de chatarra
/deposito de t͡ʃatara/from spelling rules
In Spanish, the phrase for junk yard is depósito de chatarra.
The term refers to a place where old cars and other scrap metal are kept and sold for parts. If you specifically want to describe a car junkyard, you can use the phrase desguace de coches.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase depósito de chatarra literally means scrap deposit, composed of depósito (deposit or storage) and de chatarra (of scrap metal).
Which one should you use?
While depósito de chatarra is a formal way to express the concept, the single word desguace is a very common way to refer to a junkyard or scrapyard.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, the term desguace is the standard way to refer to a place where old cars are dismantled for parts.
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, the word chatarra is also used to describe 'junk food' as comida chatarra.
- The word chatarra actually has Basque roots, coming from the word txatarra which meant 'something old'.
- The word desguace comes from the verb desguazar, which means to dismantle or take apart a ship or vehicle.
Examples in context
- ¿Sabes dónde está el depósito de chatarra más cercano?Do you know where the nearest junk yard is?
- Necesito ir al depósito de chatarra para buscar un motor.I need to go to the junk yard to look for an engine.
- Hay muchos coches viejos en ese depósito de chatarra.There are many old cars in that junk yard.
- El depósito de chatarra está cerca de la autopista.The junk yard is near the highway.
Example conversation
Sofía and Daniel are talking about fixing an old car.
- Sofía¿Dónde podemos conseguir piezas baratas?Where can we get cheap parts?
- DanielPodemos ir al depósito de chatarra de la ciudad.We can go to the city junk yard.
- SofíaEs una buena idea para tu coche.It is a good idea for your car.
- DanielSí, espero encontrar algo útil allí.Yes, I hope to find something useful there.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries chatarra, de, depósito, CC BY-SA 4.0.
