estacionamiento
/ess-tah-syoh-nah-mee-en-toh/
parking lot
A designated area for vehicles is an estacionamiento (parking lot).
estacionamiento(noun)
parking lot
?The place where cars are left
parking garage
?A multi-level structure for cars
,parking area
?General term for a designated zone
📝 In Action
El centro comercial tiene un estacionamiento muy grande.
A1The mall has a very large parking lot.
¿Dónde está el estacionamiento más cercano?
A2Where is the nearest parking garage?
Dejé mi coche en el estacionamiento subterráneo.
B1I left my car in the underground parking structure.
💡 Grammar Points
Always Masculine
Even though it ends in '-a' in the middle, remember the full word is masculine, so use 'el estacionamiento' or 'un estacionamiento'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing the place and the action
Mistake: "Using 'parquear' (verb) instead of the noun 'estacionamiento' when referring to the location."
Correction: Use 'estacionamiento' for the place, and 'estacionar' for the action of parking.
⭐ Usage Tips
The '-miento' Clue
The suffix '-miento' often turns a verb (like 'estacionar' - to park) into a noun that describes the result or the place of the action.
The action of leaving your vehicle is also referred to as estacionamiento (parking).
estacionamiento(noun)
parking
?The act or process of leaving a vehicle
stationing
?Formal reference to placing something in a location
📝 In Action
El estacionamiento en esta calle está prohibido de 8 a 5.
B1Parking on this street is prohibited from 8 to 5.
Necesitamos mejorar la gestión del estacionamiento en el centro de la ciudad.
B2We need to improve the management of parking in the city center.
💡 Grammar Points
Official Signs
You will frequently see this word on signs, often abbreviated or used in the passive voice, such as 'Estacionamiento Reservado' (Reserved Parking).
⭐ Usage Tips
Use the Verb for the Action
In casual conversation, it's often more natural to use the verb 'estacionar' (to park) than the noun 'estacionamiento' for the action itself: 'Vamos a estacionar aquí' (Let's park here).
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: estacionamiento
Question 1 of 2
Which word is NOT a common regional synonym for 'estacionamiento'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'parqueo' the same as 'estacionamiento'?
Yes, 'parqueo' is a very common, informal alternative to 'estacionamiento' used widely in many Latin American countries, particularly in the Caribbean and Central America. It generally refers to the location (parking lot).
How do I say 'to park' using this word family?
You use the related verb: 'estacionar'. For example, 'Necesito estacionar el coche' (I need to park the car).