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alcoba

al-KOH-bah/alˈkoβa/

“alcoba” means “bedroom” in Spanish (a private or formal room for sleeping).

bedroom

Also: inner room
NounfB1formal
Latin America
A cozy, well-lit bedroom featuring a large comfortable bed with soft pillows and a wooden nightstand.

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La princesa dormía en su lujosa alcoba.

A2

The princess slept in her luxurious bedroom.

Esta casa antigua tiene una alcoba secreta tras la estantería.

B1

This old house has a secret inner room behind the bookshelf.

Prefiero la palabra alcoba porque suena más elegante que cuarto.

B2

I prefer the word 'alcoba' because it sounds more elegant than 'room'.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • alcoba matrimonial – master bedroom
  • secretos de alcoba – bedroom secrets
  • intimidad de la alcoba – privacy of the bedroom

Idioms & Expressions

  • Secretos de alcoba – Private or intimate matters between a couple that shouldn't be told to others.

Vocabulary Collections

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "alcoba" in Spanish:

bedroom→inner room→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: alcoba

Question 1 of 3

Which of these is the most common synonym for 'alcoba' in daily conversation?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
alcobilla(niche/small bedroom) — Noun
dormitorio(bedroom) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
escobalobaboba
📚 Etymology▼

From the Arabic word 'al-qubba', which means 'the dome' or 'the vaulted tent'. In history, it referred to a small vaulted space used for sleeping.

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: alcovePortuguese: alcova

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'alcoba' the same as 'dormitorio'?

Yes, they both mean bedroom, but 'alcoba' sounds more classic or formal, while 'dormitorio' is more functional and common.

Can I use 'alcoba' for a hotel room?

You can, but it sounds very fancy. Most people would just say 'la habitación del hotel'.

Why does 'alcoba' sound like the English word 'alcove'?

Because they share the same Arabic root! An alcove is a small recessed space, which is exactly what an 'alcoba' was originally.