enciendan sus motores
/enθjendan sus motoɾes/from spelling rules
The English phrase "start your engines" is translated into Spanish as enciendan sus motores.
enciendan sus motores is used as a formal command or announcement, typically heard in professional racing contexts or via a loudspeaker. Other informal variations include ¡Arranca los motores! and ¡Que arranquen los motores!, which means "Let the engines start!"
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the verb encender (to turn on/light) in the third-person plural imperative form enciendan (you all turn on), the possessive sus (your) and motores (engines).
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, you can say ¡Pon en marcha los motores! to mean "Put the engines in motion!"
How does it change in a sentence?
If you are addressing a single driver formally, the phrase changes to the singular encienda su motor.
How do you pronounce it?
/enθjendan sus motoɾes/
Did you know?
- In some Latin American countries, rather than using the formal sus motores, an announcer might shout ¡A rugir los motores! which translates to 'Let the engines roar!'
- The word motor in Spanish is a cognate to the English word, but it can also refer to a person who provides the 'driving force' or motivation behind a movement or political campaign.
- The verb encender used in this phrase is the same word used to light a candle or start a fire.
Examples in context
- Señoras y señores, enciendan sus motores.Ladies and gentlemen, please start your engines.
- ¡Amigos, arranquen los motores y empecemos esta aventura!Hey guys, let's start our engines and get this show on the road!
- ¡Pilotos, enciendan sus motores!Pilots, start your engines!
- Por favor, enciendan sus motores ahora.Please, start your engines now.
Example conversation
A race official is speaking to drivers over a loudspeaker.
- DanielBienvenidos a la pista. Enciendan sus motores.Welcome to the track. Start your engines.
- SofíaYa estoy lista, Daniel.I am ready, Daniel.
- DanielMuy bien, Sofía. Esperen la señal.Very well, Sofía. Wait for the signal.
- SofíaEstoy lista para ganar.I am ready to win.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
