aparcar el coche
/apaɾkaɾ el kot͡ʃe/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'park car' is translated into Spanish as aparcar el coche.
The phrase is used to describe the action of stopping a vehicle and leaving it in a designated area. While the phrase refers to the action of parking, note that the related noun el aparcamiento is used to refer to the physical parking lot or the parking space itself.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase consists of the verb aparcar, which means 'to park' and the noun phrase el coche, which means 'the car'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The choice of words depends heavily on the region. In Spain, the standard way to say 'to park the car' is aparcar el coche. In Latin America, the verb estacionar is much more common than aparcar for the action of parking. Additionally, the word for 'car' varies: coche is used in Spain, while carro is used in Mexico and some Central American countries and auto is common in various other parts of Latin America.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase aparcar el coche uses the infinitive form of the verb to express the concept of the action.
How do you pronounce it?
/apaɾkaɾ el kotʃe/
Did you know?
- The word coche is a distant relative of the English word 'coach'. Both trace back to 'Kocs', a village in Hungary where horse-drawn carriages with innovative suspension were first made.
- In certain Caribbean Spanish dialects, people may use parquear, a direct loanword from the English 'to park', instead of the traditional estacionar or aparcar.
Examples in context
- Disculpe, ¿dónde puedo aparcar mi coche?Excuse me, where can I park my car?
- Señor/-a, ¿me indica dónde puedo dejar mi automóvil?Sir/Madam, can you tell me where I can leave my automobile?
- Oye, ¿dónde puedo aparcar mi carro?Hey, where can I park my car?
- Che, ¿me decís dónde puedo dejar mi auto?Hey, can you tell me where I can leave my car?
- Es difícil aparcar el coche en el centro.It is difficult to park the car in the city center.
- Tengo que aparcar el coche cerca de aquí.I have to park the car near here.
- ¿Sabes dónde puedo aparcar el coche?Do you know where I can park the car?
Example conversation
Javier and María are driving in a crowded area looking for a place to stay.
- JavierNo encuentro sitio para aparcar el coche.I can't find a place to park the car.
- MaríaMira, hay un hueco en esa calle.Look, there is a spot on that street.
- Javier¡Es perfecto! Voy a aparcar el coche ahora.It's perfect! I'm going to park the car now.
- MaríaMuy bien, yo busco el restaurante.Very well, I'll look for the restaurant.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries aparcar, coche, el, CC BY-SA 4.0.
