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coche

/KO-cheh/

car

A bright red, modern four-door sedan driving on a sunny road.

The most common meaning of coche is a modern car or automobile, especially in Spain.

coche(Noun)

mA1

car

?

automobile

Also:

automobile

?

a more formal term

📝 In Action

Mi coche es rojo.

A1

My car is red.

Vamos a la playa en coche.

A1

We're going to the beach by car.

Aparqué el coche cerca de tu casa.

A2

I parked the car near your house.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • auto (car (common in Latin America))
  • carro (car (common in Latin America))

Common Collocations

  • coche de alquiler – rental car
  • coche eléctrico – electric car
  • coche de segunda mano – second-hand car

Idioms & Expressions

  • ir en el coche de San Fernando – to go on foot (a little bit on foot and a little bit walking)

💡 Grammar Points

Using 'en' for Transportation

To say you are traveling 'by' a vehicle like a car, you use the word 'en'. For example, 'viajo en coche' means 'I travel by car'.

❌ Common Pitfalls

'Coche' vs. 'Carro' vs. 'Auto'

Mistake: "Using 'coche' in a country where 'carro' or 'auto' is more common can sound a bit unnatural."

Correction: While 'coche' is understood everywhere, try using 'carro' (in Mexico, Colombia, etc.) or 'auto' (in Argentina, Chile, etc.) to sound more like a local in those places.

⭐ Usage Tips

Mainly in Spain

If you're in Spain, 'coche' is your go-to word for 'car'. In Latin America, you'll hear other words more often, but everyone will still understand you.

An elegant, historical horse-drawn carriage with large wooden wheels, pulled by a single horse.

Coche can also refer to an old-fashioned horse-drawn carriage or a railway coach.

coche(Noun)

mB2

carriage

?

horse-drawn vehicle

,

coach

?

railway car

Also:

baby carriage

?

stroller, often as 'coche de niño'

📝 In Action

La reina llegó en un coche tirado por caballos.

B2

The queen arrived in a horse-drawn carriage.

Este tren tiene ocho coches de pasajeros.

B1

This train has eight passenger coaches (or cars).

El bebé duerme en su coche.

B1

The baby is sleeping in his carriage (stroller).

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • carruaje (carriage)
  • vagón (wagon, railway car)

Common Collocations

  • coche de caballos – horse-drawn carriage
  • coche cama – sleeper car (on a train)
  • coche de niño / cochecito – stroller / baby carriage

⭐ Usage Tips

Context is Key

This meaning is much older. You'll know someone means 'carriage' or 'coach' based on the context, like talking about history, trains, or babies.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: coche

Question 1 of 2

In which sentence does 'coche' most likely mean a 'railway car'?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

cochera(garage, coach house) - noun
cochecito(stroller, small car) - noun

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I use 'coche', 'carro', or 'auto'?

It depends on where you are! Use 'coche' in Spain. In Latin America, 'carro' and 'auto' are often more common. 'Carro' is popular in Mexico, Central America, and parts of South America like Colombia and Venezuela. 'Auto' is common in Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay. Everyone will understand 'coche', but using the local word will make you sound more natural.

Is 'coche' masculine or feminine?

'Coche' is a masculine noun, so you say 'el coche' (the car) and 'un coche' (a car). Any words that describe it also need to be in their masculine form, like 'el coche rojo' (the red car).