Just wondering... Carro VS Coche in Mexico

Question

I have lived in Mexico for about 3 years total. I was near Monterrey for about 6 months, and I have been in León now for about 2 and a half years. During my time here I have not once heard "coche". I usually hear "carro" when referring to a car.

I was just told today that "coche" is used a lot here, and I am wondering how common this is. I am guessing that more "educated" (or uppity) people would use the term... and perhaps that is why I have never heard it...?

I did find this, though--

En México se usa la palabra coche o auto como para anuncios o documentos. Para algo formal. Por ejemplo en las noticias cuando anuncian un accidente de tráfico: "Dos autos/coches se estrellaron pero no hubo heridos..."

So, from that I just take it that here the word "coche" is just more formal? Which would you say is used more?

Actually, I would prefer to use "coche" because I cannot pronounce the RRs... hehe.

Thanks guys!

coche is more like a carriage - Rey_Mysterio, Mar 22, 2012

Answer 1

Nikki, I only heard the term "el carro" while I was in Mexico. Also, most of the people here from Mexico and Guatemala use "el carro".

You see, that is my problem. I only hear "carro" as well, but I I am told that "coche" is very common. I really would like that to be true... jaja. I cannot pronounce RR =D - NikkiLR, Oct 22, 2011

In guatemala they use the word 'coche' for 'pig' (short for cochino, maybe), and not for car... although they understand it. - Valerie, Oct 22, 2011

Answer 2

It does seem to be a well understood and used word in Mexico.

link text Ofertas Alquiler Coche en México

Yeah, I read that they use it in papers and ads... I just don't know about in regular speech. >. - NikkiLR, Oct 22, 2011

The only time that I have ever spoken Spanish to a Mexican is when I gave a few of them a lift to their car. I used the word coche. Drew blank stares. They used carro. - 0074b507, Oct 22, 2011

That is interesting... Thanks =) - NikkiLR, Oct 22, 2011

Answer 3

All the Mexicans I know say carro. But I say coche because I think it sounds better, and because my mom says coche. Coche is well understood. Also carro means cart so when I'm talking about a cart I use carro.

Like a shopping cart? I know those as "carritos" =D - NikkiLR, Oct 22, 2011

Yeah, carrito is a little cart, using diminutive form. - jeezzle, Oct 22, 2011

I mean, that was the normal term for it... so far I have not heard "carro" for a cart. - NikkiLR, Oct 23, 2011

In a store, that is =) - NikkiLR, Oct 23, 2011

in stores you would hear: carrito - Rey_Mysterio, Mar 23, 2012

Answer 4

This is very interesting to me because I am most familiar with the area around Cuernavaca, plus the state of Jalisco in Mexico. I have always heard "coche" used for "car". I confess that I had thought "carro" was not commonly used in Mexico; when I first arrived in Mexico fro Venezuela I thought it was weird that everyone was talking about "coches" and not "carros"! Thanks for enlightening me on this!

Mountaingirl, I think your fingers dropped an "m" in "Mexico *fro* Venezuela" ;) - territurtle, Oct 22, 2011

How interesting. I thought the exact opposite! Hehe... I was told that almost nobody uses "coche" in Mexico. I guess that is wrong. =) - NikkiLR, Oct 22, 2011

Answer 5

When I have been in Mexico I have used coche and carro interchangeably. Sounds like this was a bit ignorant of me, but I never encountered anyone who didn't understand me when I referred to el coche.

Yeah, I think everyone would understand... - NikkiLR, Oct 22, 2011