para el coche
/paɾa el kot͡ʃe/from spelling rules
The English phrase "stop the car" is translated into Spanish as para el coche.
Meaning: stop the car (phrase)
Which one should you use?
Para el coche is used when speaking to someone you know well or a peer, whereas pare el coche is used for strangers or in formal settings.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, you might hear Detenga el carro instead of Detenga el automóvil.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form para el coche uses the informal imperative (tú) of the verb parar.
How do you pronounce it?
/paɾa el kotʃe/
Did you know?
- The word coche is a relative of the English word 'coach'. Both terms trace back to Kocs, a Hungarian village that manufactured innovative horse-drawn vehicles in the 15th century.
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, the verb parar can also mean 'to stop' in the sense of ending a conversation or interrupting someone, rather than just physical motion.
- In some Spanish-speaking contexts, the word para can be confusing because it is also a form of the verb 'parar' (to stop) and a preposition meaning 'for' or 'in order to'.
Examples in context
- ¡Hay alguien en la calle, para el coche!Someone's on the road. Stop the car!This sentence shows how to use para el coche when warning someone about a person on the road.Tatoeba #1043371 by Shishir, translation #9966290 by DJ_Saidez
- Para el coche.Stop the car.This sentence is a simple command using para el coche.Tatoeba #6730030 by arh, translation #1860591 by CK
- Señor, por favor, detenga el vehículo en la intersección.Sir, please stop the vehicle at the intersection.
- Disculpe, ¿podría detener el automóvil en este punto?Excuse me, could you stop the car at this spot?
- Amigo, para el carro cerca de la tienda.Friend, stop the car near the store.
- ¡Detén el auto ahora mismo, por favor!Stop the car right now, please!
- ¡Para el coche ahora mismo!Stop the car right now!
Example conversation
Mateo and María are driving to a store.
- MateoMira, María, ya llegamos.Look, María, we are already here.
- María¿Dónde quieres que me estacione?Where do you want me to park?
- MateoPara el coche en esa esquina.Stop the car on that corner.
- MaríaDe acuerdo, bajo ahora mismo.Alright, I'm getting out right now.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries coche, el, para, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
