Learn Hardcore Spanish (Latin America): Pago mi seguro del carro cada mes.

Pago is the first-person singular present form of the verb pagar (“to pay”). In Spanish, the subject pronoun (yo) is often omitted because the verb ending clearly indicates that the speaker is “I.”

Why is del used in del carro, and how is it formed?

Del is a contraction of de (“of”) and el (“the”). Spanish grammar requires that de + el become del, making del carro mean “of the car.”

Is seguro an adjective or a noun in this sentence, and how can I tell?

In this context, seguro functions as a noun referring to an insurance policy. Although seguro can be an adjective meaning “sure” or “safe,” here it is paired with the possessive mi, showing that it is the insurance one pays.

What does cada mes mean, and why is it placed at the end of the sentence?

Cada mes translates to “every month.” It is an adverbial phrase indicating frequency, and in Spanish, such phrases are typically placed at the end of a sentence to provide information about when the action occurs.

Why is the sentence structured as mi seguro del carro instead of something like el seguro de mi carro?

Using mi seguro del carro emphasizes that the insurance belongs to the speaker (“my insurance”) and then specifies that it relates to the car. Although el seguro de mi carro is grammatically correct, the chosen structure is more natural when referring to one’s own car insurance in everyday conversation.

Is carro the standard word for “car” in Latin American Spanish, or are there alternatives?

Yes, carro is a common term for “car” in Latin America. In other Spanish-speaking regions, you might also hear coche or auto, but carro is widely used and understood throughout Latin America.