Which one should you use?
While estacionar is the infinitive verb meaning 'to park', estaciona tu auto is the imperative command form. You can also use Estacione su coche or Estacione su vehículo for a more formal tone, or Aparca tu coche for a more informal tone.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Regional vocabulary changes depending on where you are. In Spain, it is common to use the verb aparcar and the word coche (as in Aparca tu coche or estaciona tu coche). In many parts of Latin America, especially Mexico and Central America, carro is the most common word for car (as in Estaciona tu carro).
How does it change in a sentence?
The form estaciona tu auto uses the informal imperative (tú) command form. To switch to a formal command, you would use the form estacione su auto.
How do you pronounce it?
/estaθjona tu auto/
Did you know?
- In some Latin American cities, a franelero is an unofficial person who 'helps' you estacionar tu auto in exchange for a small tip.
- If you are in Spain and ask someone to estacionar tu carro, they might look for a horse-drawn cart or a grocery trolley instead of a motor vehicle.
- The command estaciona tu auto uses the tú form, but in some regions, using this informal command with a stranger can be seen as overly aggressive or rude.
Examples in context
- Por favor, estacione su coche en el estacionamiento público.Please park your car in the public parking lot.
- Señor, le solicito que estacione su vehículo en el lugar asignado.Sir, I kindly request you to park your vehicle in the assigned spot.
- Estaciona tu carro al lado de mi casa, por favor.Park your car next to my house, please.
- Voy a salir ahora, así que aparca tu coche aquí hasta que regrese.I'm going out now, so park your car here until I come back.
- Estaciona tu auto en este lugar.Park your car in this place.
- Estaciona tu auto cerca de la entrada.Park your car near the entrance.
- No, estaciona tu auto en el estacionamiento.No, park your car in the parking lot.
Example conversation
Alejandro and Sofía are arriving at a crowded shopping mall.
- AlejandroSofía, estaciona tu auto en la zona azul.Sofía, park your car in the blue zone.
- SofíaEstá muy lleno aquí, Alejandro.It is very full here, Alejandro.
- AlejandroBusca un espacio libre rápidamente.Look for a free space quickly.
- SofíaEstá bien, ya encontré uno.Okay, I found one already.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
