casino
“casino” means “casino” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
casino
Also: gaming house
📝 In Action
Perdió todo su dinero en la mesa de ruleta del casino.
B1He lost all his money at the casino's roulette table.
Fuimos a Montecarlo solo para ver los casinos famosos.
A2We went to Monte Carlo just to see the famous casinos.
social club
Also: gentlemen's club
📝 In Action
El viejo casino del pueblo organiza bailes todos los sábados.
B2The town's old social club organizes dances every Saturday.
Mi abuelo solía leer el periódico en el casino antes de almorzar.
C1My grandfather used to read the newspaper at the club before lunch.
Translate to Spanish
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: casino
Question 1 of 2
Which Spanish phrase means 'to go to the gambling establishment'?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
The word comes from the Italian *casino*, which is a diminutive form of *casa* (house). Its original meaning was 'small house' or 'country villa'. Over time, these small houses became places for social gatherings, dancing, and eventually, public gaming.
First recorded: Mid-18th century (in the modern sense)
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'casino' only used for gambling in Spanish?
No. While its main modern use is for a gambling establishment, in some regions, especially historically in Spain, it still refers to a non-gambling community center or social club. Context usually makes the meaning clear.
How do I know if the word refers to gambling or a social club?
Look at the context. If the sentence mentions cards, poker, money, or roulette, it means gambling. If it mentions dances, reading the newspaper, or community meetings, it likely means a social club.