Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
How to Say Garage in Spanish: Garaje, Cochera & Estacionamiento
Garaje · noun (masculine) · gah-RAH-heh
Garage is garaje (el garaje) in Spanish, a direct adaptation from French with the j pronounced as a breathy h. Cochera is used in some Latin American countries for a home garage or carport. For parking garages (commercial), the term is estacionamiento (Latin America) or aparcamiento (Spain). Taller (workshop) covers auto repair garages.
Garaje is gah-RAH-heh, three syllables, stress on RAH. The j sounds like a breathy h. Cochera is koh-CHEH-rah.
Estacioné el carro en el garaje porque iba a llover.
I parked the car in the garage because it was going to rain.
Garage in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for garage, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| garaje | garage | gah-RAH-heh | Default, widely understood |
| cochera | garage | Latin America — garage, carport | |
| estacionamiento | garage | Latin America — parking garage | |
| aparcamiento | garage | Spain — parking garage |
How Native Speakers Use Garaje
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Home garage
La casa tiene garaje para dos autos.
The house has a garage for two cars.
Garaje para dos autos / coches is a common real estate phrase. The capacity follows para (for).
Parking structure
Dejé el coche en el estacionamiento subterráneo del centro comercial.
I left the car in the underground parking garage at the mall.
Estacionamiento subterráneo means underground parking. In Spain, this would be aparcamiento subterráneo.
Auto repair
Llevé el auto al taller porque hacía un ruido extraño.
I took the car to the garage (mechanic) because it was making a strange noise.
Taller (workshop) is the word for an auto repair shop. Saying garaje in this context would mean a parking space, not a mechanic.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Garaje
Using garaje for a repair shop
Incorrect: El garaje me cobró mucho por arreglar los frenos.
Correct: El taller me cobró mucho por arreglar los frenos.
Garaje means a place to park or store a vehicle. A repair shop is a taller (mecánico). In English, 'garage' covers both; in Spanish, they are distinct.
Spelling garaje with 'ge' at the end
Incorrect: Compré una casa con garage.
Correct: Compré una casa con garaje.
The Spanish adaptation spells it garaje (with a j). While the French garage may appear in informal writing, the RAE-approved Spanish spelling is garaje.
Lock in Garage Vocabulary with the Parrot Method
Why word lists alone don't stick
Memorizing a translation feels productive, but most learners forget 70% of what they studied within 48 hours. Vocabulary needs spaced repetition AND real-world exposure to transfer to long-term memory.
See Garaje used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using garaje in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear Estacioné el carro en el garaje porque iba a llover. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
Save, review, repeat, stay consistent
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Common Questions About Garage in Spanish
- What is the difference between garaje and cochera?
- Garaje is the most universal term for a garage. Cochera implies a home carport or covered parking spot, often simpler than a full garage. In some countries (Argentina, Mexico), cochera is used interchangeably with garaje for home use.
- How do I say 'garage sale' in Spanish?
- Venta de garaje (Mexico), venta de garage, or mercado de pulgas (flea market, broader concept). In some countries, this concept does not have a direct translation because garage sales are not as common culturally.
- What is taller vs. garaje?
- Taller is a workshop or repair shop (taller mecánico = auto repair shop). Garaje is a space for parking or storing vehicles. English 'garage' blurs both meanings; Spanish keeps them separate.