Spanish word

motocicleta

Pronunciation

IPA/motoθiˈkleta/

Meaning

  • feminine nounmotorcycle

Example

¿Quieres dar una vuelta en mi motocicleta?

Do you want to go for a ride on my motorcycle?

Illustration for motocicleta (motorcycle)

More examples

Siempre llevo mi casco cuando salgo en motocicleta.

I always wear my helmet when I go by motorcycle.

Core concept

Engine-powered two-wheeler designed for one or two riders.

Common phrases

  • conducir motocicleta

    ride a motorcycle

  • ir en motocicleta

    go by motorcycle

  • casco para motocicleta

    motorcycle helmet

Similar words

moto: Casual, colloquial engine-powered two-wheeler commonly used in conversation.
motoneta: Compact, easy-to-handle engine-powered two-wheeler for urban use.
scooter: Compact engine-powered two-wheeler with a step-through frame and flat floorboard.
ciclomotor: Very low-powered two-wheeler with a small engine for short, local journeys.

Definition in Spanish

Vehículo a motor de dos ruedas que se conduce montado sobre él y suele transportar a una o dos personas.

Word origin

Borrowed via French motocyclette, from moto (short for motor) and cyclette (from bicyclette), with the diminutive -ette reflecting its bicycle ancestry.

Usage tips

  • The short form moto is far more common in conversation than motocicleta, and both words use the feminine article la.

Opposites

Related words

  • motociclistamotorcyclistnoun
  • motociclismomotorcycle racingnoun

Word lists with this word