Navigating car repairs can be challenging, especially when language barriers come into play. Have you ever struggled to communicate with a Spanish-speaking mechanic, resorting to gestures to explain car trouble? Or perhaps your mechanic tried explaining the issue and replaced parts, leaving you lost in translation? Automotive terminology is a unique world filled with jargon, from Bendixes to muffler bearings.
As car enthusiasts, we understand the frustration of miscommunication and incorrect parts. Inspired by this challenge, and fueled by insights from Don Francisco, a seasoned auto mechanics professor from Universidad Technologico, we’ve created an enhanced English-Spanish automotive lexicon. Building upon resources like Rolly Brook’s “Mexican Spanish English Car Parts Lexicon,” we’ve expanded and refined the list to be even more comprehensive and user-friendly for the English-speaking audience.
This guide is designed to be a practical tool you can keep in your car. Simply copy and paste the English-Spanish and Spanish-English sections into a document for a handy, side-by-side translation reference.
The Gasoline Engine – English to Spanish
- Air to Fuel Ratio (A/F) = Relación de Aire/Combustible
- Belt Tensioner Pulley = Tensor de la Correa
- Combustion Chamber = Cámara de Combustión
- Camshaft = Árbol de Levas
- Camshaft Drive Belt = Faja de Distribucion
- Crankshaft = Cigüeñal
- Engine Block = Bloque del Motor
- Exhaust Manifold = Válvula de Escape
- Flywheel = Volante
- Fuel Injector = Inyector
- Gasket = Junta, Empaque, Sello
- Head Cover = Tapa de la Cabeza
- Head Gasket = Junta de la Cabeza OR Empaque de Cabezote OR Cigueñal de Cabezote
- Hydraulic Valve Lifter = Buso
- Inlet Valve = Válvula de Admisión
- Insufficient Flow = Flujo Insuficiente
- Intake Manifold = Colector de Admisión
- Misfire (Engine) = Falla (de Ignición)
- Motor = Motor
- Motor Mount = Base del Motor
- Oil = Aceite
- Drain Plug = Tapón del Aceite
- Pan = Cárter
- Pan Gasket = Junta del Cárter
- O ring = Retén
- Oxygen Sensor = Sensor de Oxigena
- Piston = Pistón
- Piston Ring = Anillo
- Piston Rod = Biela
- Piston Skirt = Camisas del Pistón
- Pulley = Polea
- Rocker Arm = Balancín
- Seal (Shaft Seal) = Sello Sinfin
- Serpentine Belt = Banda Multiple
- Spark Plug = Bujía
- Thermostat = Thermostato
- Timing Belt = Banda de Tiempo or Faja de Tiempo
- Too Lean = Demasiado Pobre
- Too Rich = Demasiado Rico
- Vacuum Diaphragm = Diafragma
- Valve = Válvula
- Valve Cover = Tapa de Válvulas, Tapa de Pistón
- Valve Cover Gasket = Empaque de Tapadera de Válvulas
- Valve Spring = Resorte de Válvula
- Voltage (High/Low) = Voltaje Alta / Voltage Bajo
El Motor de Gasolina – Spanish to English
- Aceite = Oil
- Relación de Aire/Combustible (A/C) = Air to Fuel Ratio (A/F)
- Anillo = Piston Ring
- Arbol de Levas = Camshaft
- Balancín = Rocker Arm
- Banda de Tiempo = Timing Belt, aka Faja de Tiempo
- Banda Multiple = Serpentine Belt
- Base del Motor = Motor Mount
- Biela = Piston Rod
- Bloque del Motor = Engine Block
- Bujía = Spark Plug
- Buso = Hydraulic Valve Lifter
- Cámara de Combustión = Combustion Chamber
- Camisas del Pistón = Piston Skirt
- Cárter = Oil Pan
- Cigüeñal = Crankshaft
- Colector de Admisión = Intake Manifold
- Demasiado Pobre = Too Lean
- Demasiado Rico = Too Rich
- Diafragma = Vacuum Diaphragm
- Empaque = Gasket
- Empaque de Tapadera de Válvulas = Valve Cover Gasket
- Faja de Tiempo = Timing Belt (aka Banda de Tiempo)
- Faja de Distribucion = Camshaft Drive Belt
- Falla Ignición = (Engine) Misfire
- Inyector = Fuel Injector
- Flujo Insuficiente = Insufficient Flow
- Junta = Gasket
- de la Cabeza = Head Gasket
- del Cárter = Oil Pan Gasket
- Motor = Motor
- Mugre = Black sludge in a motor
- Pistón = Piston
- Polea = Pulley
- Resorte de Válvula = Valve Spring
- Retén = O ring
- Sello = Gasket
- Sello Sinfin = A basic shaft seal (steel outer support ring w/spring tensioned rubber seal)
- Sensor de Oxigena = Oxygen Sensor
- Tapa de la Cabeza = Head Cover
- Tapa de Pistón = Valve Cover
- Tapadera de Válvulas = Valve Cover
- Tapón del Aceite = Oil Drain Plug
- Tensor de la Correa = Belt Tensioner (Pulley)
- Termostato = Thermostat
- Válvula = Valve
- Válvula de Admisión = Inlet Valve
- Válvula de Escape = Exhaust Manifold
- Volante = Flywheel
- Voltaje Alta / Voltage Bajo = Voltage (High/Low)
Inside Dashboard and Controls – English to Spanish
- Accelerator = Acelerador
- Air Bag = Bolsa de Aire
- Brake = Freno
- Brake or Hood Release Lever (incl. its cable) = Chicote
- Climate Control = Clima
- Clutch = Clutch, Embrague
- Cruise Control = Velocidad Fija
- Emergency Brake = Freno de Emergencia
- Floor Mat = Tapete, Alfombra
- Fuse = Fusible
- Gearshift = Cambio de Velocidades, Palanca de Cambios
- Glove Box = Guantera, Cajuelita
- Hazard Signal Switch = Palanca Luces Intermitentes
- Heater Core = Nucleo de Calentador
- Hood or Brake Release Lever (incl. its cable) = Chicote
- Horn = Claxon
- Ignition Switch = Encendió
- Mirror = Espejo
- Rearview = Espejo Retrovisor
- Side = Espejo Lateral
- Vanity — = Espejo
- Outside Mirror Control = Control del Espejo
- Radio = Radio
- Sludge (in a motor) = Mugre
- Steering Column = Eje
- Steering Wheel = Volante, Guía
- Stick Shift = Palanca de Velocidades
- Turn Signal Lever = Palanca de Direccionales
- Vent = Ventila, Ventilador
- Visor = Visera
- Wiper Switch = Palanca Limpia+Brisas
Interior Tablero y Controles – Spanish to English
- Acelerado = Accelerator
- Alfombra = Floor Mat
- Bolsa de Aire = Air Bag
- Cajuelita = Glove Box
- Cambio de Velocidades = Gearshift
- Chicote = Brake or Hood Release Lever (incl. its cable)
- Claxon = Horn
- Clima = Climate Control
- Clutch = Clutch
- Control del Espejo = Outside Mirror Control
- Eje = Steering Column
- Embrague = Clutch
- Encendió = Ignition Switch
- Espejo = Mirror, Vanity Mirror
- Lateral = Side Mirror
- Retrovisor = Rearview Mirror
- Freno = Brake
- Freno de Emergencia = Emergency Brake
- Fusible = Fuse
- Guantera = Glove Box
- Guía = Steering Wheel
- Luces Intermitentes = Hazard Light Switch
- Nucleo de Calentador = Heater Core
- Palanca = Lever
- de Cambios = Gearshift
- de Direccionales = Turn Signal Lever
- de Velocidades = Stick Shift
- Limpia+Brisas = Wiper Switch
- Radio = Radio
- Tapete = Floor Mat
- Velocidad Fija = Cruise Control
- Ventila = Vent
- Ventilador = Vent
- Visera = Visor
- Volante = Steering Wheel
Instrument Panel – English to Spanish
- Gas Gauge = Medidor de Gasolina
- High Beam Indicator = Luz Indicadora de Larga
- Odometer = Cuenta+Kilómetros
- Odometer, Trip = Odómetro
- Speedometer = Velocímetro
- Tachometer = Tacómetro
- Temperature Gage = Indicador Temperatura
- Turn Signal Indicator = Direccionales
- Warning Lights = Luces de Advertencia
- Alternator = Luz de Advertencia del Alternador
- Door Ajar = Luz de Puerta Abierta
- Fuel = Luz de Advertencia de Gasolina
- Oil = Luz de Advertencia del Aceite
- Seat Belt = Luz del Cinturón
- Temperature = Luz de Advertencia de Temperatura
Tablero de Instrumentos – Spanish to English
- Medidor de Gasolina = Gas Gauge
- Luz Indicadora de Larga = High Beam Indicator
- Cuenta+Kilómetros = Odometer
- Odómetro = Trip Odometer
- Velocímetro = Speedometer
- Tacómetro = Tachometer
- Indicador Temperatura = Temperature Gage
- Direccionales = Turn Signal Indicators
- Luz de Advertencia = Warning Light
- del Alternador = Alternator
- de Puerta Abierta = Door Ajar
- de Advertencia de Gasolina = Fuel
- de Advertencia del Aceite = Oil
- del Cinturón = Seat Belt
- de Advertencia de Temperatura = Temperature
On the Door – English to Spanish
- Accessory Pocket = Bolsillo Lateral
- Armrest = Descansa+Brazo
- Assist Grip = Jaladora
- Door = Puerta
- Door Handle = Manija
- Door Latch = Cerradura
- Door Lock = Seguro
- Door Lock Button = Seguro
- Hinge = Bisagra
- Trim Panel = Tapas de la Puerta
- Window Handle = Manivela del Vidrio
En la Puerta – Spanish to English
- Bisagra = Hinge
- Bolsillo Lateral = Accessory Pocket
- Cerradura = Door Latch
- Descansa+Brazo = Armrest
- Jaladora = Assist Grip
- Manija = Door Handle
- Manivela del Vidrio = Window Handle
- Puerta = Door
- Seguro = Door Lock
- Seguro = Door Lock Button
- Tapas de la Puerta = Trim Panel
The Seats – English to Spanish
- Back Rest = Respaldo
- Backseat = Asiento Trasero
- Center Arm Rest = Descansa
- Child’s Seat = Asiento Para Niño
- Head Rest = Reposa+Cabezas
- Seat = Asiento
- Adjustment Knob = Rueda Para Centrar Asiento
- Belt = Cinturón, Cinturón de Seguridad
- Belt Buckle = Seguro de Cinturón
- Bench — = Asiento
- Bucket — = Individual
- Shoulder Belt = Cinturón
- Sliding Lever = Palanca del Deslizador
Los Asientos – Spanish to English
- Asiento = Bench Seat
- Asiento = Seat
- Individual = Bucket Seat
- Para Niño = Child’s Seat
- Trasero = Backseat
- Cinturón, Cinturón de Seguridad = Seat Belt, Shoulder Belt
- Descansa = Center Arm Rest
- Palanca del Deslizador = Seat Sliding Lever
- Reposa+Cabezas = Head Rest
- Respaldo = Back Rest
- Rueda Para Centrar Asiento = Seat Adjustment Knob
- Seguro de Cinturón = Seat Belt Buckle
Under the Hood – English to Spanish
- Air Bag Controller = Sensor de Seguridad
- A/C Compressor = Compresor del Aire
- Air Filter = Filtro de Aire
- Alternator = Alternador
- Alternator Belt = Banda del Alternador
- Band = Banda
- Battery = Batería, Acumulador, Pila
- Battery Terminal = Terminal de Batería
- Belt = Banda
- Brake Booster = Servofreno
- Brakes = Frenos
- Carburetor = Carburador
- Catalytic Converter = Convertido Catalítico
- Coil = Bobina
- Cooling Fan = Abanico
- Crash Sensor = Sensor de Colisión
- Dipstick = Varilla del Aceite
- Distributor = Distribuidor
- Distributor Cap = Tapa del Distribuidor
- Fan Belt = Banda, Banda del Abanico
- Filter = Filtro
- Gas Filter = Filtro de Gasolina
- Gas Pump = Bomba de Gasolina
- Hose = Manguera
- Oil Filter = Filtro del Aceite
- Power Steering Pump = Bomba de la Dirección Hidráulica
- Radiator = Radiador
- Spark Plug = Bujía
- Spark Plug Wire = Cable de Bujía
- Water Pump = Bomba de Agua
Debajo de Toldo – Spanish to English
- Abanico = Cooling Fan
- Acumulador = Battery
- Alternador = Alternator
- Banda = Belt, Band
- del Abanico = Fan Belt
- del Alternador = Alternator Belt
- Batería = Battery
- Bobina = Ignition Coil
- Bomba = Pump
- de Agua = Water Pump
- de Gasolina = Gas Pump
- de la Dirección Hidráulica = Power Steering Pump
- Bujía = Spark Plug
- Cable de Bujía = Spark Plug Wire
- Compresor del Aire = Air Conditioner Compressor
- Carburador = Carburetor
- Distribuidor = Distributor
- Filtro = Filter
- del Aceite = Oil Filter
- del Aire = Air Filter
- de Gasolina = Gas Filter
- Frenos = Brakes
- Manguera = Hose
- Pila = Battery
- Radiador = Radiator
- Sensor de Colisión = Crash Sensor
- Sensor de Seguridad = Air Bag Controller
- Servofreno = Brake Booster
- Tapa del Distribuidor = Distributor Cap
- Terminal de Batería = Battery Terminal
- Varilla del Aceite = Dipstick
Exterior of the Car: English-Spanish
- Antenna = Antena
- Body Side Molding = Moldura Lateral
- Bumper (Front) = Defensa Delantera
- Bumper (Rear) = Defensa Trasera
- Center Post = Poste Central
- Fender = Guarda Polvos
- Gas Cap = Tapa de la Gasolina
- Gas Tank Door = Puerta de la Tapa de la Gasolina, (commonly just) Tapa
- Grille = Rejilla
- Hood = Toldo, Cofre
- Hubcap = Copa, Tapabocina
- License Plate = Placa
Lights (various): English-Spanish
- Light = Luz; Lights = Luces
- Light Bulb = Foco
- Back-up = Luz de Reversa
- Back-up (alt) = Luz de Marcha Atrás
- Brake = Luz del Freno
- Fog = Luz Antiniebla
- Halogen Bulb = Foco Halógeno
- Headlight = Luz Delantera, Faro
- High Beam = Luz Alta, Faro Alto
- License Plate = Luz Para Placa
- Low Beam = Luz Baja, Faro Bajo
- Parking = Luz Para Estacionarse
- Socket = Zócalo
- Taillight = Luz Trasera
- Turn Signal = Luz Direccional
- Lug Nut = Tuercas del Ring
- Mud Flap = Cuvre+Polvos
- Quarter Window = Aleta
- Rims = Rines
- Roof = Techo
- Sunroof = Quemacoco
- Tailgate (of a pickup) = Tapa, Puerta Trasera de Camioneta
- Tail Light Assembly = Calavera or Mica
- Tire = Llanta, Pneumatico
- Trunk of a car = Maletero, Cajuela
- Trunk Lid = Cajuela
- Wheel = Rin
- Window = Ventanilla
- Windshield = (El) Parabrisas
- Windshield Wiper = Limpiador, Limpia Parabrisas
- Wiper = Hule de Parabrisas, Goma de Parabrisas
- Wiper Arm = Brazo
Exterior de la Coche: Spanish-English
- Aleta = Quarter Window
- Antena = Antenna
- Calavera (or Mica) = Tail Light Assembly
- Cajuela = Trunk or Trunk Lid (of a car)
- Cofre = Hood
- Copa = Hubcap
- Cubre+Polvos = Mud Flap
- Defensa Delantera = Bumper (Front)
- Defensa Trasera = Bumper (Rear)
- Goma de Parabrisas = Windshield Wiper Blade
- Guarda+Polvos = Fender
- Hule de Parabrisas = Windshield Wiper Blade
- Limpia Parabrisas = Windshield Wiper
- Limpiador = Windshield Wiper
- Llanta = Tire = Pneumatico
Luces (varios): Spanish-English
- Faro = Headlight
- Faro Alto = High Beam
- Faro Bajo = Low Beam
- Luz = Light y Luces = Lights
- Alta = High Beam
- Antiniebla = Fog Light
- Baja = Low Beam
- de Marcha Atrás = Back-up Light
- de Reversa = Back-up Light
- del Freno = Brake Light
- Delantera = Headlight
- Direccional = Turn Signal
- Para Estacionarse = Parking Light
- Para Placa = License Plate Light
- Trasera = Taillight
- Maletero = Trunk of a car = Cajuela
- Mica (or Calavera) = Tail Light Assembly
- Moldura Lateral = Body Side Molding
- Parabrisas = Windshield
- Placa = License Plate
- Poste Central = Center Post
- Pneumatico = Tire = Llanta
- Puerta de la Tapa de la Gasolina = Gas Tank Door
- Puerta Trasera de Camioneta = Tailgate (of a pickup)
- Quemacoco = Sunroof
- Rejilla = Grille
- Rin = Wheel / Rim
- Tapa de la Gasolina = Gas Cap
- Tapa = Gas Tank Door
- Tailgate of a pickup
- Tapabocina = Hubcap
- Tapón de Gasolina = Gascap
- Techo = Roof
- Toldo = Hood
- Tuercas del Ring = Lug Nut
- Ventanilla = Window
- Zócalo = Light Bulb Socket
In the Trunk – English to Spanish
- Flare = Señal Luminosa Preventiva
- Jack = Gato
- Jumper Cables = Cables de Pasar Corriente
- Lug Wrench = Cruzeta (Cross Wrench)
- Spare Tire = Refacción
En la Cajuela – Spanish to English
- Cables de Pasar Corriente = Jumper Cables
- Cruzeta = Lug Wrench
- Gato = Jack
- Refacción = Spare Tire
- Señal Luminosa Preventiva = Flare
Under the Car – English to Spanish
- A-frame arm (front suspension) = Orquillas or Orquidea
- Automatic Transmission = Transmisión Automática
- Axle = Eje
- Ball Joint = Rotula
- Bearing = Balero o idioma: ‘caja de bolas’
- Brakes = Frenos
- Catalytic Converter = Convertido Catalítico
- Control Arm (suspension) = Horcilla de Suspencion
- Clutch = Embrague
- Coil Spring = Muelle Helicoidal
- Crash Sensor = Sensor de Colisión
- CV Joint = Balero Espiga
- CV Joint Boot = Botas de las Juntas de Velocidad Constante (aka Botas VC)
- Differential = Diferencial
- Disc Brake = Freno de Disco
- Drive Shaft = Flecha (Note: “Flecha” is a key term here, translating to “Drive Shaft” or “Axle Shaft” depending on context. Understanding “flecha car part in english” is crucial for accurate communication about vehicle’s drivetrain.)
- Exhaust Pipe = Tubo de Escape
- Front Suspension Arm = Orquillas or Orquidea
- Gas (Gasoline) = Gasolina
- Line = Tubo de Gasolina
- Tank = Tanque de Gasolina
- Gearbox = Caja de Velocidades
- Hydraulic Brake Line = Circuito de Frenado
- Leaf Spring = Muelle
- Muffler = Silenciador, Mofle
- Radiator = Radiador
- Rack and Pinion = Cremallera
- Shock Absorber = Amortiguador
- Spring = Muelle or Resorte
- Tie Rod (with or without the ‘end’) = Bieleta de Direccion (with or w/o ends)
- Tie Rod End (part with little ball joint) = Terminale de Direccion
- Suspension Arm = Brazo de Suspensión
Debajo de le coche – Spanish to English
- Amortiguador = Shock Absorber
- Balero = Bearing
- Balero Espiga = CV Joint
- Bieleta de Direccion = Tie Rod End
- Botas de las Juntas de Velocidad Constante (Botas VC) = CV Joint Boots
- Brazo de Suspensión = Suspension Arm
- Caja de Bolas (idioma slang) = Balero = Bearing
- Caja de Velocidades = Gearbox
- Circuito de Frenado = Hydraulic Brake Line
- Convertido Catalítico = Catalytic Converter
- Cremallera = Rack and Pinion
- Diferencial = Differential
- Eje = Axle
- Embrague = Clutch
- Flecha = Drive Shaft, Axle Shaft (Understanding “flecha car part in english” is vital. In this context, “flecha” generally refers to the rotating shaft that transmits power to the wheels. It can be either a drive shaft connecting the transmission to the differential or an axle shaft extending from the differential to the wheels.)
- Freno de Disco = Disc Brake
- Frenos = Brakes
- Gasolina = Gas, Gasoline
- Horcilla de Suspencion = Control Arm (Suspension)
- Mofle = Muffler
- Muelle = Spring, Leaf Spring
- Muelle Helicoidal = Coil Spring
- Orquillas o Orquidia = Front Suspension A-frame Arm
- Radiador = Radiator
- Resorte = Spring
- Rótula = Ball Joint
- Sensor de Colisión = Crash Sensor
- Silenciador = Muffler
- Tanque de Gasolina = Gas Tank
- Terminale de Direccion = Tie Rod End (part with the little ball joint)
- Transmisión Automática = Automatic Transmission
- Tubo de Escape = Exhaust Pipe
- Tubo de Gasolina = Gas Line
Other Things: English-Spanish
- 2-door sedan = Sedán Dos Puertas
- 4-door sedan = Sedán Quatro Puertas
- Air = Aire
- Air Pressure = Presión de Aire
- Brake Fluid = Fluido de Frenos
- Convertible = Descapotable
- To Drive = Manejar
- Gasket paper = Garlo o Velamoy
- Hatchback = Compuerta Trasera
- Light Bulb = Foco
- Halogen = Foco Halógeno
- Socket = Zócalo
- Limousine = Limusina
- Millage = Millaje
- Minivan = Monovolumen
- Oil Level = Nivel de Aceite
- To Patch = Remendar
- Patches (tire) = Parches
- Pickup truck = Camioneta, Trucka
- Power Steering = Dirección Hidráulica
- Sports car = Deportivo
- Sports utility vehicle (SUV) = Vehiculo Todo Terreno
- To Start (the engine) = Arrancar
- Station wagon = Coche Familiar
Otras Cosas: Spanish-English
- Aire = Air
- Arrancar = To Start (the engine)
- Camioneta = Pickup Truck
- Compuerta Trasera = Hatchback
- Coche Familiar = Station Wagon
- Deportivo = Sports Car
- Descapotable = Convertible
- Dirección Hidráulica = Power Steering
- Fluido de Frenos = Brake Fluid
- Foco = Light Bulb
- Halógeno = Halogen Light Bulb
- Garlo o Velamoy = Gasket Paper / Gasket Stock
- Limusina = Limousine
- Manejar = To Drive
- Millaje = Millage
- Monovolumen = Minivan
- Nivel de Aceite = Oil Level
- Parches = Patches
- Presión de Aire = Air Pressure
- Remendar = To Patch
- Sedán Dos Puertas = 2-door Sedan
- Sedán Quatro Puertas = 4-door Sedan
- Trucka = Pickup Truck
- Vehiculo Todo Terreno = Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV)
- Zócalo = Light Bulb Socket
Tools etc: English-Spanish
- Cutter = Cortadora de Metal
- File = Lima de Metal
- Grinder = Molinillo
- Hammer = Martillo
- Pliers = Pinzas
- Ratchet = Trinquete
- Sandpaper = Papel de Liga
- Screw = Tornillo
- Screwdriver = Desarmador o Destornillador
- Socket set = Juego de Llaves de Vaso
- Tire = Llanta or Neumático
- Tire Tread = Rodadura del Neumático or Banda de Rodadura or Cumbre de Llanta
- Tread Separation = Separación de Cumbre de Llana
- Wheel = Rin
- Wrench = Llave de Tuercas
- Wrench Set = Juego de Llaves
- Wire (tie -solid core) = Alambre
- Wire (electrical – stranded) = Cable
Herramientas etc: Spanish-English
- Alambre = Tie Wire or Support Wire – solid wire
- Banda de Rodadura = Tire Tread
- Cumbre de Llanta = Tire Tread
- Cable = Electrical Wire or Stranded Wire
- Desarmador = Screwdriver
- Lima de Metal = Metal File
- Juego de Llaves (de Tuercas) = Set of Wrenches
- Juego de Llaves de Vaso = Socket Set
- Llave = Wrench
- Llanta = Tire
- Martillo = Hammer
- Molinillo = Grinder
- Papel de Liga = Sandpaper
- Pinzas = Pliers
- Rin = Wheel or Rim
- Trinquete = Ratchet
Auto Verbs: English-Spanish
- Hit = Golpear
- Rotate / Twist = Hacer Girar
- Scrape (clean) = Raspar
- Scratch (gouge) = Rayar
- Tighten (a bolt) = Apretar
- Tighten (a belt) = Apretarse
Verbos de Coches: Spanish-English
- Apretar (un tornillo) = Tighten a bolt
- Apretarse (un cinturon) = Tighten a belt
- Golpear = Hit
- Hacer Girar = Rotate / Twist
- Raspar = Scrape Clean
- Rayar = Scratch / Gouge
BONUS IMAGE:
This is our initial effort to build a comprehensive glossary of Mexican auto and car terms and translations. We encourage readers to contribute comments with terms we might have overlooked. Since this compact version was originally created, ASE has developed its own extensive version. For a detailed, 58-page online translator (perhaps too large for your car door), you can explore: http://www.ase.com/medialibrary/images/ase-glossary—test-center-version.pdf
If you found this article helpful, be sure to check out our related piece on Yucatan Living: “Buying A Used Car in Merida”
* * * * Feel free to share and copy, with proper credit to: YucaLandia/Surviving Yucatan. © Steven M. Fry
Read on, MacDuff.