castillo
/kas-TEE-yo/
castle
A castillo (castle), a large fortified building.
castillo(noun)
castle
?historical, fortified building
fortress
?large fortified structure
,palace
?when referring to a very large, impressive residence
📝 In Action
El viejo castillo se alza sobre la colina.
A1The old castle stands on the hill.
Los niños construyeron un castillo de arena en la playa.
A2The children built a sandcastle on the beach.
Necesitaron meses para restaurar el castillo medieval.
B1They needed months to restore the medieval castle.
💡 Grammar Points
Masculine Gender Rule
Even though many Spanish nouns ending in '-o' are masculine, remember that 'castillo' is always masculine, so use 'el' (the) or 'un' (a) with it.
⭐ Usage Tips
The 'LL' Sound
The 'll' in 'castillo' sounds like the 'y' in 'yellow' in most Spanish-speaking regions. Don't pronounce it like two separate 'L's.
The word castillo also translates to the rook chess piece.
📝 In Action
El jugador movió su castillo para proteger al rey.
B1The player moved his rook to protect the king.
⭐ Usage Tips
Game Context
You will usually only hear 'castillo' used for a chess piece in Spain and some parts of Latin America. In other regions, 'torre' (tower) is more common for the rook.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: castillo
Question 1 of 2
Which phrase correctly describes a structure built on the beach?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
If 'castillo' is a castle, how do I say 'palace'?
While 'castillo' can sometimes be used for an extremely grand residence, the more precise Spanish word for a royal or official residence is 'palacio'. They are often similar buildings, but 'palacio' emphasizes the residence aspect, while 'castillo' emphasizes the fortification.
Why does the 'll' sound like a 'y'?
The 'll' in Spanish, called 'elle,' is a special sound that developed historically. In most parts of the Spanish-speaking world, it is pronounced exactly like the 'y' sound in English words like 'yes' or 'yellow.' This is known as 'yeísmo'.