abrir el capó
/abɾiɾ el kapo/from spelling rules
To pop the hood in Spanish is abrir el capó.
This phrase is used when you want to open the cover of a vehicle's engine compartment.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is a literal translation of 'to open the hood', where abrir means 'to open' and el capó means 'the hood'.
Which one should you use?
While abrir (to open) is standard, the verb levantar (to lift) is also frequently used when referring to the action of raising the hood, such as in levante el capó.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, the word cofre is used instead of capó to refer to a car's hood, so you might say abrir el cofre or use the phrase Levanta el cofre.
Did you know?
- The word capó is a loanword from the French word capot. It is a doublet of the Spanish word capote, which refers to a traditional cape or cloak.
- Depending on where you are, using capó in Mexico might sound strange to locals, who almost exclusively use cofre, a word that also means 'chest' or 'strongbox'.
- While English uses the percussive verb 'pop' to describe the action, Spanish speakers use abrir (to open) or levantar (to lift), focusing on the result rather than the sound of the latch.
Examples in context
- Abre el capó. Necesito echar un vistazo al motorOpen the hood. I need to take a look at the engine
- Levanta el cofre, por favorPop the hood, please
- Tienes que abrir el capó para revisar el aceite.You have to pop the hood to check the oil.
- No puedo abrir el capó porque la palanca no funciona.I can't pop the hood because the lever isn't working.
- ¿Puedes abrir el capó para que mire el motor?Can you pop the hood so I can look at the engine?
Example conversation
Sofía and Daniel are standing next to a car that is overheating.
- SofíaEl coche se está calentando mucho.The car is getting very hot.
- DanielVoy a abrir el capó para ver qué pasa.I am going to pop the hood to see what is happening.
- SofíaTen cuidado, Daniel, puede haber humo.Be careful, Daniel, there might be smoke.
- DanielNo te preocupes, Sofía, lo haré con calma.Don't worry, Sofía, I will do it calmly.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries abrir, capó, el, CC BY-SA 4.0.
