Spanish Phrase
La batería del coche está muerta. ¿Me la puedes arrancar?
Meaning
The speaker is telling someone that the car’s battery has no charge (it’s ‘dead’) and is asking for help to get the car started, usually by jump‑starting it. The phrase implies an urgent, practical need.
When to use
Use this sentence when you’re stranded because the car won’t start and you need a friend, a passer‑by, or a roadside assistance service to give the car a jump‑start.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Labateríadelcocheestámuerta.¿Melapuedesarrancar?
Artículo y género
‘La’ agrees with the feminine noun ‘batería’; remember that adjectives must also match gender and number.
Contracción del + artículo
‘del’ = de + el; it links the battery to the car.
Estar + adjetivo
‘está muerta’ uses estar to describe a temporary state (the battery is dead right now).
Pronombre de objeto directo
‘la’ replaces ‘la batería’; it must agree in gender with the noun it represents.
Poder + infinitivo
‘puedes arrancar’ = can you start; the infinitive follows the modal verb.
Arrancar (coche)
In Spanish, ‘arrancar’ is the usual verb for ‘to start a vehicle’; you can also say ‘dar un arranque’.
🗨In Conversation
La batería del coche está muerta. ¿Me la puedes arrancar?
The car battery is dead. Can you jump‑start it for me?
Claro, dame los cables y lo intento.
Sure, hand me the jumper cables and I’ll give it a try.
✕Common Mistakes
La batería del coche está muerto.
‘Batería’ is feminine, so the adjective must be ‘muerta’.
¿Me la puedes arrancar la batería?
You don’t ‘arrancar’ a battery; you ‘arrancar el coche’ or ‘dar un arranque’ to the car.
¿Me la puedes encender?
‘Encender’ is used for lights or appliances, not for a car’s battery.
↔Alternatives
La batería está descargada. ¿Me ayudas a encender el coche?
The battery is discharged. Can you help me start the car?
El coche no arranca, ¿me das una mano?
The car won’t start, can you give me a hand?
¿Podrías pasarme un cable de arranque?
Could you pass me a jumper cable?
Cultural Tip
In most Spanish‑speaking countries people say ‘dar un arranque’ or ‘pasar los cables’ when they need a jump‑start. ‘Arrancar la batería’ is technically incorrect; you ‘arrancas el coche’ using a charged battery. Also, be aware that in some regions ‘muerta’ can sound a bit dramatic; ‘descargada’ is a more neutral term.