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alquilar

al-kee-LAHRalkiˈlaɾ

to rent

Also: to hire, to lease
VerbA1regular ar
Mexico and USASpain
A person handing a set of keys to another person in front of a small apartment building.
gerundalquilando
past Participlealquilado
infinitivealquilar

📝 In Action

Queremos alquilar un coche para ir a la playa.

A1

We want to rent a car to go to the beach.

Ella alquila un apartamento pequeño en el centro.

A1

She rents a small apartment downtown.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • rentar (to rent (common in Latin America))
  • arrendar (to lease/rent out (more formal))

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • alquilar un piso – to rent a flat/apartment
  • coche de alquiler – rental car
  • en alquiler – for rent

to rent out

Also: to let
VerbA2regular ar
A person standing next to a 'For Rent' sign shaped like a house, handing a key to a new tenant.

📝 In Action

Mis padres alquilan una habitación a un estudiante.

A2

My parents are renting out a room to a student.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • subarrendar (to sublet)

Common Collocations

  • se alquila – for rent (sign seen on buildings)

Subjunctive

Imperfect Subjunctive

yoalquilara
túalquilaras
él/ella/ustedalquilara
nosotrosalquiláramos
vosotrosalquilarais
ellos/ellas/ustedesalquilaran

Present Subjunctive

yoalquile
túalquiles
él/ella/ustedalquile
nosotrosalquilemos
vosotrosalquiléis
ellos/ellas/ustedesalquilen

Indicative

Preterite

yoalquilé
túalquilaste
él/ella/ustedalquiló
nosotrosalquilamos
vosotrosalquilasteis
ellos/ellas/ustedesalquilaron

Imperfect

yoalquilaba
túalquilabas
él/ella/ustedalquilaba
nosotrosalquilábamos
vosotrosalquilabais
ellos/ellas/ustedesalquilaban

Present

yoalquilo
túalquilas
él/ella/ustedalquila
nosotrosalquilamos
vosotrosalquiláis
ellos/ellas/ustedesalquilan
View All Tenses & Moods →

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "alquilar" in Spanish:

to hire→to lease→to let→to rent→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: alquilar

Question 1 of 2

How do you say 'I want to rent a bike'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

From the Arabic word 'al-kirā', which means 'the rent' or 'the act of hiring'.

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

Portuguese: alugar

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between 'alquilar' and 'rentar'?

They mean the same thing. 'Alquilar' is the most common word in Spain, while 'rentar' is very common in Mexico and parts of Latin America.

Can I use 'alquilar' for people?

No, 'alquilar' is only for things like houses, cars, or equipment. For hiring employees, use 'contratar'.