discoteca
“discoteca” means “nightclub” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
nightclub
Also: disco, club
📝 In Action
Vamos a la discoteca esta noche.
A1We are going to the nightclub tonight.
¿A qué hora cierra la discoteca?
A1What time does the nightclub close?
La música en esa discoteca está muy fuerte.
A2The music in that club is very loud.
record collection
Also: record library
📝 In Action
La emisora de radio tiene una discoteca inmensa.
C1The radio station has an immense record library.
Heredó la discoteca de jazz de su abuelo.
C2He inherited his grandfather's jazz record collection.
Translate to Spanish
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: discoteca
Question 1 of 3
If you are in Argentina and want to go to a 'discoteca', what word are you most likely to use?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
From the word 'disco' (record) and the Greek suffix '-teca' (collection/storage). It was borrowed from the French word 'discothèque' in the mid-20th century.
First recorded: 20th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'discoteca' the same as a 'bar'?
Not exactly. A bar is usually for sitting and drinking, while a 'discoteca' specifically implies a dance floor and loud music, usually opening much later at night.
Can I just say 'disco'?
Yes, 'la disco' is a very common and natural way to shorten the word in almost all Spanish-speaking countries.
Do people still use the word 'discoteca' or is it old-fashioned?
It is still the standard, correct term. While slang terms like 'antro' or 'boliche' are popular, 'discoteca' is never wrong and is understood by everyone.