car
Meaning: A motor vehicle for transporting passengers
Car is the standard British term for a road vehicle (Americans also use 'automobile'). In British English, 'car' can also refer to a railway carriage ('dining car'). Related terms include 'car park' (British) vs 'parking lot' (American) and 'estate car' (British) vs 'station wagon' (American).
Examples
- I usually drive to work, but my car is being repaired. 我通常开车上班,但我的车正在修理。Normalmente voy al trabajo en coche, pero mi coche está siendo reparado.普段は車で通勤していますが、車が修理中です。보통 차로 출근하는데, 지금 차가 수리 중입니다.
- Shall we take my car or go by train? 我们坐我的车还是坐火车?¿Vamos en mi coche o en tren?私の車で行きましょうか、それとも電車で行きましょうか?제 차로 갈까요, 아니면 기차로 갈까요?
- The car park behind the supermarket is free on Sundays. 超市后面的停车场周日免费。El aparcamiento detrás del supermercado es gratis los domingos.スーパーの裏の駐車場は日曜日は無料です。슈퍼마켓 뒤 주차장은 일요일에 무료입니다.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: general
Tone: neutral
Origin & History
From Old Northern French 'carre', from Latin 'carrus' meaning 'two-wheeled wagon', borrowed from Gaulish (Celtic) 'karros'. Originally it referred to any wheeled vehicle. The automobile sense dates from 1896, shortened from 'motor car'. Related to 'chariot', 'carry', and 'cargo'.
Cultural Context
Era: Modern
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
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