Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| moto | /ˈmoto/ | feminine |
| motocicleta | /motoθiˈkleta/ /motosiˈkleta/ |
feminine, formal |
| motor | /moˈtoɾ/ | Dominican Republic, colloquial, masculine |
| motora | /motoɾa/ (from spelling rules) | Puerto Rico, colloquial, feminine |
The term refers to an open-seated motor vehicle with handlebars. While moto is the most common way to describe these vehicles in daily life, the term ciclomotor is used specifically for smaller motorcycles, scooters or mopeds with engines below a certain size.
Which one should you use?
motocicleta is the full, formal term, whereas moto is a shorter, more colloquial version. In certain contexts, the English loanword chopper may be used informally to refer to a specific style of motorcycle.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
motocicleta is a formal term often used in technical, legal or official contexts. moto is the everyday, informal way to say motorcycle in most Spanish-speaking countries.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Dominican Republic, motor is used colloquially to mean motorcycle. In Puerto Rico, the colloquial term motora is common.
How does it change in a sentence?
moto is a feminine noun, so it must be used with feminine articles such as la or una. Note that motocicleta and motora are also feminine, while the Dominican colloquialism motor is masculine.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈmoto/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Because English speakers may default to masculine articles, avoid saying el moto. Remember that moto is feminine and requires feminine articles.
Did you know?
- The Spanish word motocicleta was borrowed from the French word motocyclette.
- Even though motor usually refers to the engine itself in English, in the Dominican Republic it functions as the name for the whole vehicle.
Examples in context
- Tom se cayó de su moto.Tom fell off of his motorcycle.This sentence shows how to use moto to describe someone falling from a motorcycle.Tatoeba #4507314 by emanuel81, translation #4506200 by CK
- ¿Dónde compró esta moto?Where did you buy this motorcycle?This sentence uses moto to ask about the purchase of a motorcycle.Tatoeba #10176173 by Seael, translation #10176156 by CK
- Me detuvo un poli en moto.I was pulled over by a policeman on a motorcycle.This sentence demonstrates using moto to describe a policeman on a motorcycle.Tatoeba #11755921 by Seael, translation #6106150 by CK
- Me gusta mucho tu motocicleta nuevaI really like your new motorcycle
- El director llegó en su motoThe director arrived on his motorcycle
- Vamos en moto a la playa este fin de semanaLet's go to the beach on a motorcycle this weekend
- ¡Qué linda motito tienes!What a cute little motorcycle you have!
- Me encantaría tener una chopper en mi garajeI would love to have a chopper in my garage
- 58 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
María and Alejandro are talking about transportation in the city.
- MaríaAlejandro, ¿quieres comprar una moto?Alejandro, do you want to buy a motorcycle?
- AlejandroSí, pero necesito un casco primero.Yes, but I need a helmet first.
- MaríaEs más rápido moverse en moto.It is faster to get around by motorcycle.
- AlejandroTienes razón, María.You are right, María.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “motorcycle” translations and entries moto, motocicleta, motor, motora, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries moto, motocicleta, motor, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
