Spanish - English Motorcycle Terminology
Following the purchase of a motorbike in the barrio of Malvin in Montevideo the author has had occasional requirements to visit mechanics / sales people and discuss various items regarding motorcycles, cars and the mechanical components of both.
This artcile provides a list of useful vocabulary that he has recorded during this process; translations are not guaranteed to be 100% accurate but they have been learned to interaction with locals.
This artcile provides a list of useful vocabulary that he has recorded during this process; translations are not guaranteed to be 100% accurate but they have been learned to interaction with locals.
- Spanish: English
- La chapa : The number (licence) plate...
the actual metal plate on the vehicle. - La matricula: The registration of the vehicle that allows the issue of a plate.
- Patente Rodo: The road fund licence (annual fee to allow you to drive on the road)
- Los cambios: The gears
- Primer: First
- Segunda: Second
- Tercera: Third
- Cuarta: Fourth
- Quinta: Fifth
- Punto muerto / Neutralo: Neutral gear
- El embrague: The clutch
- El accelerador: The accelerator / throttle
- El incendido electronic: Electric start
- La junta: The seal (for example the rocker cover seal)
- El alternador: The alternator
- La cadena: The chain
- El aceite: The oil
- El aceite del motor: Engine oil
- El aceite de la cadena: Chain oil
- Lubricacion: Lubrication
- Lubricante: Lubricant
- El freno: The brake
- Freno de disco: Brake disc
- Pastilles de freno: Brake shoes/pads
- Las ruedas: The wheels
- La horquilla: The fork (suspension fork)
- La amortiguacion: The suspension / shock absorber
- El manillar: The handlebars
- La nafta: Petrol (gas)
- El tanque: The tank
- El pie: The stand (literally the foot)
- El cuadro: The frame
- El asiento: The seat / saddle
- Las aforjas: The panniers (saddlebags)
- Los guardabarros: The mud guards
- Caño de escape: Exhaust/Tail pipe (literally pipe of escape)
- Los espejos: The mirrors
- La garantia: Warranty/Guarantee
- Arreglar: To fix
- Andar: To ride (in Uruguay/Argentina)
- Manajar: To drive (also used with motorbikes by some people)
- Montar: To ride (in other countries, literally to mount)
Source...