alquilar un coche
/alkilaɾ un kot͡ʃe/from spelling rules
To rent a car in Spanish is alquilar un coche.
This phrase is used to describe the act of paying money to use a vehicle for a short period of time.
Which one should you use?
In many parts of Latin America, you will hear the verb rentar used instead of alquilar to express the idea of renting.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, alquilar un coche is the standard way to express this and the term alquiler de coche is used to mean 'car rental'. In Argentina, it is frequent to say alquilar un auto instead of using the word coche.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb alquilar is a regular -ar verb, meaning it follows standard conjugation patterns, such as alquilé for 'I rented'.
How do you pronounce it?
/alkilaɾ un kotʃe/
Did you know?
- The word coche is a direct relative of the English word 'coach'. Both terms trace back to a village in Hungary called Kocs, where early horse-drawn carriages were built.
- The word coche in Spanish can refer to a car or a baby carriage depending on the context, which can lead to confusing situations at a rental desk.
- In certain regions, using rentar is considered an Anglicism, meaning it was influenced by the English word 'rent' rather than being a native Spanish evolution.
Examples in context
- Tengo que alquilar un coche.I have to rent a car.This sentence demonstrates the use of alquilar un coche for expressing a necessity.Tatoeba #6806629 by arh, translation #6806528 by CK
- ¿Dónde puedo alquilar un coche?Where can I rent a car?This sentence shows how to ask a question using alquilar un coche.Tatoeba #1084407 by Shishir, translation #265608 by Dejo
- Le costó 50 dólares alquilar un coche en Hawái.It cost him 50 dollars to rent a car in Hawaii.This sentence illustrates the use of alquilar un coche when discussing costs.Tatoeba #2526671 by teskmon, translation #292450 by CK
- Necesito alquilar un coche para dos semanas en Barcelona, por favor. ¿Cuáles son los requisitos?I need to rent a car for two weeks in Barcelona, please. What are the requirements?
- ¿Sabes dónde puedo alquilar un auto para el fin de semana?Do you know where I can rent a car for the weekend?
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
María and Javier are planning a road trip for the weekend.
- María¿Quieres alquilar un coche para el viaje?Do you want to rent a car for the trip?
- JavierSí, sería mucho más cómodo para nosotros.Yes, it would be much more comfortable for us.
- MaríaYo puedo alquilar un coche por internet ahora.I can rent a car online now.
- JavierPerfecto, gracias por ayudarme con esto, María.Perfect, thanks for helping me with this, María.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries alquilar, coche, un, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
