Italian · Travel & Getting Around
"Car" in Italian: macchina
la macchina
Note: also: l'auto (f)
Car in Italian is la macchina (MAHK-kee-nah), a feminine noun. L'auto is a short alternative. By car is in macchina. A parking spot is un parcheggio.
Offering a lift
Ti porto io con la macchina.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce macchina
Say it
MAHK-kee-nah
/ˈmak.ki.na/
Macchina is MAHK-kee-nah with a held double k sound written as cc before h. Stress MAHK.
"Car" in Italian: quick reference
| Italian | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| la macchina | car Everyday word across Italy. | Everyday word across Italy. |
| l'auto | car Short alternative, also on signs. | Short alternative, also on signs. |
| in macchina | by car Travel mode. | Travel mode. |
| la patente | driving licence Related driving noun. | Related driving noun. |
How to use macchina in real life
- 1Offering a lift
Ti porto io con la macchina.
I'll take you in the car.
Con la macchina.
- 2City trouble
Non trovo parcheggio per la macchina.
I can't find parking for the car.
La macchina as the vehicle you need to leave.
- 3Travel choice
Andiamo al lago in macchina.
We're going to the lake by car.
In macchina = by car.
Mistakes English speakers make with macchina
Incorrect: Il macchina è rossa.
Correct: La macchina è rossa.
Macchina is feminine: la macchina.
Incorrect: Vado con car.
Correct: Vado in macchina. / Prendo la macchina.
Use macchina or auto, not English car.
Good to know
Macchina also means machine, so context decides. For vehicles, la macchina is crystal clear in speech. Historic centres often restrict cars, so in macchina may still end with a walk from a garage.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Planning a weekend drive
ChatPal
Prendiamo la mia macchina sabato mattina.
Let's take my car Saturday morning.
You
Ottimo. La macchina ha spazio per i bagagli?
Great. Does the car have space for the bags?
ChatPal
Sì. Mettiamo le valigie in macchina la sera prima.
Yes. We'll put the suitcases in the car the evening before.
You
Perfetto. Guidi tu la macchina sul tratto di autostrada?
Perfect. Will you drive the car on the motorway stretch?
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Car" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Car" in Italian
Is macchina or auto better?
Both are fine. Macchina is extremely common in speech; auto is short and also appears on signs.
How do I say by car?
In macchina or in auto.
Does macchina only mean car?
No. It can mean machine too. Context and verbs like guidare make the car sense clear.
How do I say parking?
Il parcheggio for a parking area; parcheggiare is the verb to park.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
- Step 1: See it in context
- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
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