A brightly colored rectangular rug with geometric patterns resting on a light wooden floor.

alfombra

ahl-FOHM-brah

nounfA1

carpet?floor covering, wall-to-wall,rug?a smaller, movable floor covering

Also:mat?decorative or protective floor item

📝 In Action

Compramos una alfombra nueva para la sala de estar.

We bought a new rug for the living room.

La alfombra persa es muy cara y tiene muchos detalles.

The Persian carpet is very expensive and has a lot of detail.

Limpié la alfombra después de que se me cayera el café.

I cleaned the carpet after I dropped the coffee.

Word Connections

Synonyms

tapete (small rug/mat)
estera (mat (often woven/straw))

Common Collocations

poner una alfombra – to lay/put down a carpet
enrollar la alfombra – to roll up the rug
alfombra roja – red carpet

💡 Grammar Points

Gender Check

Remember that 'alfombra' is always feminine. You must use feminine articles and adjectives with it (e.g., 'la alfombra', 'una alfombra grande').

❌ Common Pitfalls

Mistaking Gender

Mistake: "El alfombra es bonita."

Correction: La alfombra es bonita. Since 'alfombra' is feminine, you must use 'la' (the) or 'una' (a/an).

⭐ Usage Tips

Carpet vs. Rug

In Spanish, 'alfombra' covers both the large, fitted carpets and smaller, movable rugs. If you need to specify a small mat, you might hear 'tapete'.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: alfombra

Question 1 of 1

Which sentence correctly uses 'alfombra'?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

alfombrar(to carpet (verb)) - verb

alfombrilla(small mat (like a car floor mat)) - noun

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I say 'to vacuum the carpet'?

You would use the verb 'aspirar' (to vacuum). For example: 'Necesito aspirar la alfombra' (I need to vacuum the carpet).

Is 'alfombra' the same as 'tapete'?

They are very similar! 'Alfombra' is the general term for both large fitted carpets and area rugs. 'Tapete' usually refers specifically to a smaller rug or mat, like a doormat or bath mat.