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escondite

/es-con-DEE-teh/

hide-and-seek

A colorful illustration of two children playing hide-and-seek outdoors. One child is covering their eyes while leaning against a large tree trunk, and another child is peeking out from behind a large bush.

The most common meaning of escondite is the children's game, hide-and-seek.

escondite(noun)

mA1

hide-and-seek

?

children's game

📝 In Action

Cuando éramos pequeños, siempre jugábamos al escondite en el parque.

A1

When we were little, we always played hide-and-seek in the park.

¡Ya no quiero contar! ¿Quién va a empezar el escondite?

A2

I don't want to count anymore! Who is going to start hide-and-seek?

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • juego de las escondidas (hide-and-seek (Latin American variant))

Common Collocations

  • jugar al escondite – to play hide-and-seek
  • echar un escondite – to have a round of hide-and-seek

💡 Grammar Points

Playing Games

In Spanish, when you play a sport or game, you use the preposition 'a' (al is the contraction of a + el): 'jugar al escondite' or 'jugar al fútbol'.

⭐ Usage Tips

Regional Differences

While 'escondite' is understood everywhere, in many parts of Latin America, you might hear the plural form 'las escondidas' instead.

A simple illustration depicting a small, empty, dark space underneath a staircase, suggesting a location used for concealment.

An escondite can also refer to a physical location, or a hiding place.

escondite(noun)

mB1

hiding place

?

physical location

,

hideout

?

secret refuge

Also:

cache

?

storage spot

📝 In Action

Necesitamos un buen escondite para guardar las llaves de repuesto.

B1

We need a good hiding place to keep the spare keys.

La policía descubrió el escondite de los documentos robados.

B2

The police discovered the hideout of the stolen documents.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • refugio (shelter)
  • guarida (den/lair (often used for animals or criminals))

Common Collocations

  • escondite secreto – secret hiding place
  • buscar un escondite – to look for a hiding place

💡 Grammar Points

Using Prepositions

When talking about what you do in or from a hiding place, use 'en' (in/at) or 'desde' (from): 'Estaba en su escondite' (He was in his hideout).

❌ Common Pitfalls

Confusing Place vs. Action

Mistake: "Using 'esconder' when you mean 'escondite'."

Correction: Remember 'esconder' is the verb 'to hide' (the action), while 'escondite' is the noun (the place or game). 'El escondite está aquí' (The hiding place is here).

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: escondite

Question 1 of 1

Which sentence uses 'escondite' to refer to a physical location, not the game?

📚 More Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'escondite' masculine or feminine?

'Escondite' is a masculine noun, so you must always use 'el' before it: 'el escondite' (the hiding place/the game).

How do you say 'It's time to hide' using the verb form?

You would use the verb 'esconderse' (to hide oneself): 'Es hora de esconderse.' 'Escondite' is only the noun (the place or the game).