Valet
Meaning: A parking service where someone parks your car for you — so common in LA that it's basically the default parking method.
In Los Angeles, valet parking is everywhere — restaurants, malls, hospitals, even some grocery stores. 'I'll valet' is a complete sentence in LA, meaning 'I'll use the valet service.' The ubiquity of valet in LA reflects the city's car-centric culture and chronic parking shortage. Tipping the valet is expected ($3-5 minimum).
Examples
- Just valet it — there's no street parking in this neighborhood. 直接用代客泊车吧——这附近没有路边停车位。Deja el coche con el valet — no hay aparcamiento en la calle en este barrio.バレーに任せよう——この辺は路上駐車できないから。발레에 맡기자 — 이 동네에는 길거리 주차가 없어.
- The restaurant has valet, so we don't have to worry about finding a spot. 餐厅有代客泊车,所以我们不用操心找车位了。El restaurante tiene valet, así que no tenemos que preocuparnos por encontrar sitio.レストランにはバレーパーキングがあるから、駐車場を探す心配はない。레스토랑에 발레가 있으니까 주차 걱정 안 해도 돼.
- I spent $20 on valet — that's more than my lunch cost. 代客泊车花了20美元——比我的午餐还贵。Me gasté 20 dólares en el valet — más de lo que me costó el almuerzo.バレーに20ドルかかった——ランチ代より高い。발레에 20달러 썼어 — 점심값보다 비싸네.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: driving, dining out, Los Angeles life
Tone: practical, matter-of-fact
✓ Do Say
- Let's just valet — it's easier.我们直接用代客泊车吧——更方便。Dejémoslo con el valet — es más fácil.バレーにしよう——そっちの方が楽だ。그냥 발레에 맡기자 — 그게 더 편해.
- Is there valet at this place?这个地方有代客泊车吗?¿Hay valet en este sitio?この店、バレーあるの?여기 발레 있어?
✗ Don't Say
- Pronounce it 'va-LAY' — saying 'VAL-it' will mark you as not from California要读作'va-LAY'——如果说成'VAL-it',别人一听就知道你不是加州人Pronúncialo 'va-LEI' — decir 'VA-lit' delatará que no eres de California発音は「バレイ(va-LAY)」——「ヴァリット」と言うとカリフォルニア出身じゃないのがバレる발음은 '밸-레이(va-LAY)'로 해야 한다 — '밸-릿(VAL-it)'이라고 하면 캘리포니아 사람이 아닌 게 티난다
Origin & History
While valet parking exists nationwide, it became a defining feature of Los Angeles culture due to the city's car dependence and limited parking. LA has more valet parking per capita than virtually any other American city.
Cultural Context
Era: Modern
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
Regional notes: Los Angeles — car culture
More From This Topic
More from Regional: California
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