Which one should you use?
While desguace is a common term, other options exist depending on the context. Chatarrería is a term used for a scrap yard or junkyard in both Spain and Latin America. In some countries like Mexico, the term recicladora is used to describe a facility that salvages and recycles various materials, such as metal and plastic.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, desguace is the most common term for a place where vehicles are dismantled and scrapped. In some Spanish-speaking countries, such as Mexico, the term recicladora is used for recycling facilities.
How does it change in a sentence?
Desguace is a masculine noun, so it is used with the masculine article el (e.g., el desguace). If you need to express the action of scrapping or dismantling a vehicle, use the related verb desguazar.
How do you pronounce it?
/desɡwaθe/
Did you know?
- In colloquial Spanish, if someone says a project or a plan is para el desguace, they mean it is a total disaster or completely ruined beyond repair.
- In Spain, a desguace is not just a yard but a highly regulated legal entity. To legally scrap a car, you must obtain a certificado de baja from the facility to notify the government that the vehicle is no longer on the road.
- The word chatarrería comes from chatarra, which refers to scrap metal. In some Latin American countries, this term is used more broadly to describe any small shop that sells miscellaneous second-hand junk and oddities.
Examples in context
- Encontré una pieza de repuesto en el desguaceI found a spare part at the scrap yard
- Necesito deshacerme de estas viejas tuberías, llevaré todo a la chatarreríaI need to get rid of these old pipes, I'll take everything to the scrap yard
- El auto fue llevado a la recicladora después del accidenteThe car was taken to the scrap yard after the accident
- Tengo que llevar el coche al desguace.I have to take the car to the scrap yard.
- El desguace está cerca de la fábrica.The scrap yard is near the factory.
- Busco una pieza en el desguace.I am looking for a part in the scrap yard.
Example conversation
Daniel and María are talking about an old car.
- DanielEste coche ya no funciona, María.This car doesn't work anymore, María.
- María¿Lo vas a vender al desguace?Are you going to sell it to the scrap yard?
- DanielSí, es la mejor opción ahora.Yes, it is the best option now.
- MaríaEntonces llama para preguntar el precio.Then call to ask for the price.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
