Housing Vocabulary in Spanish
Learn Spanish housing-related terms and expand your vocabulary. Ideal for beginners who want to learn Spanish in a practical way.
derruir una vivienda
ruin a house
'Derruir una vivienda' is a Spanish phrase that translates to 'ruin a house' in English. This phrase encompasses the idea of causing significant damage to a house, to the point where it might be unliveable. This damage could be intentional, such as in the case of demolition, or unintentional, resulting from natural disasters or accidents.
deuda pública
public debt
'Deuda pública' is a Spanish term that translates to 'public debt' in English. It refers to the debt owed by a central government. Public debt can include money owed to foreign governments, domestic investors and other entities. It is essentially the amount of money that the state needs to finance its functioning when tax revenues and other state incomes are not sufficient. Public debt is a significant aspect of a country's financial structure and economic policy.
Example sentences with deuda pública →domicilio
domicile
The Spanish word 'domicilio' translates to 'domicile' in English. The term 'domicile' refers to a person's permanent legal place of residence. This is the place they consider their home or main establishment and to where, whenever they are absent, they have the intention of returning. Similar to 'domicilio', 'domicile' is often used in legal contexts.
dormitorio
Bedroom
The Spanish word 'dormitorio' translates to 'bedroom' in English. It is a noun often used to refer to a room within a home, apartment, or other dwelling that is primarily used for sleeping. This word can be used in various contexts such as house selling, interior design, and daily conversations. So, the next time you are talking about your home in Spanish, remember that the room you sleep in is called a 'dormitorio'.
dormitorio de invitados
Guest bedroom
The Spanish phrase 'dormitorio de invitados' translates to 'guest bedroom' in English. This term typically refers to a room in someone’s house that is designed for use by a guest. This room usually contains a bed or beds, and could possess other amenities such as a dresser, closet, chair, or desk. It is a space intended for temporary or short-term use by visitors. It is important to note that the term 'dormitorio de invitados' is primarily used in the context of housing and accommodation.
dúplex
duplex
The Spanish term 'dúplex' translates to 'duplex' in English. A duplex is a building that is divided into two separate homes, each with their own entrance. The homes can be adjacent to each other, or one on top of the other. This type of housing is very common in residential neighborhoods and can be either rented or owned similar to single-family homes. The word 'dúplex' in Spanish carries the exact same concept.
edificar una vivienda
building a house
The Spanish phrase 'edificar una vivienda' translates into English as 'building a house'. It is often used in the context of construction or real estate. 'Edificar' is the verb that means 'to build', 'una' is the indefinite article 'a', and 'vivienda' is a noun that refers to a dwelling or a residence, more commonly known as a housing structure or house in English. Hence, when you are talking about creating a new residential structure or constructing a house, you can use the term 'edificar una vivienda' in Spanish.
edificio
building
The Spanish word 'edificio' is used to describe a large structure or a building. This could be anything from a skyscraper to a school. It's used in the same context as the English 'building', as in the sentence: 'El edificio es muy alto', which translates to 'The building is very tall'.
Example sentences with edificio →edificio de apartamentos
apartment building
The phrase 'edificio de apartamentos' in Spanish translates to 'apartment building' in English. An apartment building is a large residential structure that is divided into smaller units, known as apartments. These buildings can vary in size and number of floors, and they provide housing for multiple individual households. Each of these individual apartments within the building usually has its own kitchen, bathroom, living area, and one or more bedrooms.
empresa de mudanzas
moving company
The term 'empresa de mudanzas' in Spanish is translated into English as 'moving company'. A moving company is a commercial business that is paid to help individuals and businesses move their goods from one place to another. They are responsible for ensuring safe and efficient transport of items, often using large trucks or vans, and typically offer services like packing, loading, moving, unloading, unpacking, and arranging of items at the new location.
en buen estado
in good condition
The Spanish phrase 'en buen estado' translates to 'in good condition' in English. It is often used to describe objects, places, or situations that are functioning well or are of good quality. For example, if a used car is functioning without any issues, you would say it is 'en buen estado'. Similarly, if a house is well-maintained and doesn't require any repairs, you would also use this phrase. It can also be used to describe a person's health or physical condition when they're feeling well or healthy.
entrada
Entrance
The Spanish word 'entrada' translates to 'entrance' in English. This could relate to a physical opening like a door or gate that leads into a place, such as in the sentence 'La entrada a la casa es grande', meaning 'The entrance to the house is big'. It could also mean the act of coming or going into a place where this is seen as a formal act, such as 'Hizo una gran entrada en la sala', translated as 'He made a grand entrance to the room'. In a broader context, 'entrada' could be used in contexts relating to the start of something, like the first part of a musical composition or an entry in a diary or log.
entrega de llaves
handover of keys
The Spanish phrase 'entrega de llaves' translates to 'handover of keys' in English. It is often used in the context of property transactions, such as renting or buying a house, where the keys are physically passed from one party to another. It signifies the transfer of ownership or control. Furthermore, this phrase could also be applied metaphorically in a variety of situations where responsibilities are transferred.
escalera
stairs
The Spanish word 'escalera' translates to 'stairs' in English. It is a common noun and is used to refer to a set of steps leading from one floor of a building to another. It is also used to denote any set of steps or stages that are said to resemble or lead up like stairs. Thus, it is widely used in different contexts in everyday language.
escalera de incendios
Fire escape
The Spanish phrase 'escalera de incendios' translates to 'fire escape' in English. This term describes a special kind of staircase, usually made of metal and found on the exterior of a building. A fire escape is designed as a safety measure and provides an alternative exit in the event of fire or other emergencies when the regular exit pathways are blocked.
escayola
plaster
The word 'escayola' in Spanish refers to a white powdery substance that is combined with water to form a paste. This paste is then used to create hard covers for broken limbs or to cover walls and ceilings, similar to what 'plaster' does in English. It is a common material used in construction and medical field both in English and Spanish contexts.
espacioso
spacious
The Spanish word 'espacioso' translates to 'spacious' in English. It is often used to describe areas or objects that have ample space or capacity. This could be in reference to a large room, a piece of property, a vehicle, or any other structure that provides a lot of room or freedom to move.
estar completo
to be complete
The Spanish term 'estar completo' translates to 'to be complete' in English. In Spanish, verbs often express a state or change of state. 'Estar' is a verb that generally indicates a temporary state or location. 'Completo' means complete, full, or whole. Thus, 'estar completo' means to be in the state of being whole or complete. This phrase could refer to a variety of situations, from a completed task, a full complement of items, to a feeling of personal fulfillment.
Example sentences with estar completo →estar de alquiler
being rented
The Spanish phrase 'estar de alquiler' translates to 'being rented' in English. In Spanish, 'estar' is a verb that is often used to indicate states or conditions, 'de' translates to 'of' or 'from' and 'alquiler' means 'rent'. This phrase is usually used to denote objects, places, or properties that are currently for lease or rent.
firmar un contrato (de alquiler)
sign a contract (for rent)
The Spanish phrase 'firmar un contrato (de alquiler)' translates to 'sign a contract (for rent)' in English. The verb 'firmar' means 'to sign' and 'el contrato' is 'the contract'. The term 'alquiler' represents the concept of 'rent', typically related to properties such as apartments or houses. Therefore, if you 'firmar un contrato de alquiler', you are signing a rent contract, usually establishing the terms and conditions of a property lease.
firmar una hipoteca
sign a mortgage
The term 'firmar una hipoteca' is a Spanish phrase that translates to 'sign a mortgage' in English. It refers to the act of putting your signature on a legally binding document where you agree to pay back a loan, typically to a bank, given to purchase a particular property, commonly a house. The mortgage acts as a security for the loan. If you fail to pay back, the lender has the right to take the property. It is very crucial to fully understand the terms and conditions before you 'firmar una hipoteca'.
fontanería
plumbing
The Spanish word 'fontanería' translates to 'plumbing' in English. It refers to the system of pipes, tanks, fittings, and other apparatus required for the water supply, heating, and sanitation in a building. Professionals who manage these systems are known as plumbers, or 'fontaneros' in Spanish. Plumbing could concern anything from the installation and repair of piping systems, plumbing fixtures and equipment, to suspecting water or gas leaks and unblocking pipes or drains.
garaje
garage
The Spanish word 'garaje' translates to 'garage' in English. A 'garage' is a building or a part of a building where you keep a car. Garages can be separate structures or integrated into a house or apartment building. They are often used for car storage to protect vehicles from the weather and for storing tools, bikes, and other items. In the same vein, 'garaje' in Spanish serves the exact same purpose.
gasa
gasa
The Spanish word 'gasa' translates to 'gauze' in English. It is commonly used in the medical field to refer to a thin fabric typically made of cotton or linen, possessing an open weave. Gauze is often used for dressings, bandages, and other medical appliances.
Example sentences with gasa →gastos de agua
Water costs
The Spanish phrase 'gastos de agua' translates to 'water costs' in English. It is generally used to refer to the cost or expense associated with water consumption in households, businesses, or other settings. This may include the costs of water supplied by a local utility company or costs related to the maintenance and use of privately owned water resources. Notably, it is a phrase often seen in financial context, such as in bills or reports, to refer to expenditures on water.
gastos de comunidad
community expenditure
The word 'gastos de comunidad' in Spanish refers to community expenditure in English. This phrase is typically used in the context of shared buildings or residential communities. These are expenses incurred for the maintenance of common areas and amenities. For example, cleaning, gardening, or utilities for these areas, security services, or any repairs or improvements necessary. It's an amount usually paid regularly by residents of the community or building.
haber instalaciones para minusválidos
facilities for disabled persons
The Spanish phrase 'haber instalaciones para minusválidos' translates to English as 'facilities for disabled persons'. This phrase can be used in various contexts such as public buildings, transportation, or events. It refers to structures or services designed to aid persons with disabilities enjoy their rights and freedoms equally with others. These can be ramps for wheelchairs, special restrooms, elevators among other modifications intended to ease mobility and accessibility for disabled persons.
Example sentences with haber instalaciones para minusválidos →haber plazas libres
there are free places
The Spanish phrase 'haber plazas libres' is translated to English as 'there are free places'. It is often used to denote availability of spaces or spots in a specific context, such as in an event, a venue, an institution, etc. It can also imply unoccupied job positions in a professional scenario. The verb 'haber' here is used in its existential sense, literally meaning 'there is/are'. 'Plazas' translates to 'places', and 'libres' means 'free' or 'unoccupied'.
Example sentences with haber plazas libres →haber sala de reuniones
meeting room
The Spanish term 'haber sala de reuniones' directly translates into English as 'there is a meeting room'. Typically, in Spanish, you would see 'sala de reuniones' to represent 'meeting room'. 'Haber' is a verb that is often used to express the existence of something in a place, so 'haber sala de reuniones' could be loosely understood as 'there is a meeting room'.
Example sentences with haber sala de reuniones →haber servicio de habitaciones
room service
The Spanish phrase 'haber servicio de habitaciones' translates to 'room service' in English. It's a common term used in hotels and accommodations, referring to services provided in guest rooms, examples of which include meal delivery, cleaning, or other requests made by guests during their stay. The phrase literally translates to 'there is room service', with 'haber' meaning 'there is', 'servicio' meaning 'service', and 'de habitaciones' meaning 'of rooms'.
Example sentences with haber servicio de habitaciones →