carro
/KAH-rroh/
car
In many regions, 'carro' is the common word for a motorized car or automobile.
carro(noun)
car
?Motorized vehicle
,automobile
?Motorized vehicle
truck
?Small utility truck (regional)
📝 In Action
Necesito comprar gasolina para mi carro.
A1I need to buy gas for my car.
El tráfico estaba terrible y el carro se recalentó.
A2The traffic was terrible and the car overheated.
¿Dónde estacionaste el carro?
A1Where did you park the car?
💡 Grammar Points
Masculine Noun Rule
Since 'carro' is a masculine noun, it always uses the masculine articles 'el' (the) or 'un' (a/an) before it.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using 'carro' in Spain
Mistake: "Using 'carro' when talking to someone from Spain about their personal vehicle."
Correction: In Spain, use 'coche' instead of 'carro' for a passenger vehicle. 'Carro' usually means 'cart' there.
⭐ Usage Tips
Regional Choice
If you are speaking in Mexico, Central America, or the Caribbean, 'carro' is the most natural and expected word for 'car.' If you are speaking in Spain or Argentina, use 'coche' or 'auto.'
Historically, and in some contexts, 'carro' refers to a non-motorized cart used to transport items.
carro(noun)
cart
?Non-motorized vehicle for goods
,wagon
?Farm vehicle or animal-drawn vehicle
trolley
?Shopping cart (regional)
,chariot
?Historical/literary context
📝 In Action
Necesitamos un carro grande para llevar todas estas bolsas del mercado.
A2We need a big cart to carry all these grocery bags.
El granjero cargó la paja en el carro tirado por el caballo.
B1The farmer loaded the straw onto the wagon pulled by the horse.
💡 Grammar Points
Diminutive Form
To talk about a small cart, like a shopping cart or a toy wagon, you can use the diminutive form 'carrito'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Context is Key
When talking about historical vehicles or non-motorized goods transport, 'carro' is understood everywhere. If you hear 'carro' in Spain, this 'cart/wagon' meaning is usually what is intended.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: carro
Question 1 of 2
If someone in Mexico says, 'Mi carro está en el taller,' what are they referring to?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
¿Carro, coche, o auto? Which one should I use?
This is one of the biggest regional differences in Spanish! Use 'carro' throughout Mexico and Central America. Use 'coche' in Spain. 'Auto' is understood everywhere but is most common in South America (like Argentina and Uruguay).
Is 'carrito' the same as 'carro'?
'Carrito' is the diminutive form of 'carro,' meaning a 'little car' or 'little cart.' It is commonly used for shopping carts, small toy cars, or the little carts used by street vendors.