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fachada

fah-CHAH-dah/faˈtʃaða/

“fachada” means “facade” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

facade

Also: front
NounfA2
A beautiful stone building front with arched windows and a large wooden door.

📝 In Action

La fachada de la catedral es de estilo gótico.

A2

The facade of the cathedral is in a Gothic style.

Están pintando la fachada de nuestra casa.

A1

They are painting the front of our house.

Muchos edificios antiguos conservan su fachada original.

B1

Many old buildings keep their original front.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • fachada principal – main facade
  • restaurar la fachada – to restore the building front

front, appearance

Also: disguise
NounfB2
Spain/Latin America
A smiling mask being held up by a hand to hide a sad face behind it.

📝 In Action

Su alegría es solo una fachada para esconder su tristeza.

B2

His happiness is just a front to hide his sadness.

Ese negocio es una fachada para actividades ilegales.

C1

That business is a front for illegal activities.

No te dejes engañar por la fachada; es una persona difícil.

B2

Don't be fooled by appearances; he is a difficult person.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • apariencia (appearance)
  • máscara (mask)
  • paripé (a sham/act)

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • mantener la fachada – to keep up appearances
  • una fachada de... – a front of...

Idioms & Expressions

  • guardar la fachada – To act as if everything is fine to save face.

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "fachada" in Spanish:

appearance→disguise→front→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: fachada

Question 1 of 3

If someone says 'Es solo una fachada,' what do they mean?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
facha(look/appearance (often informal)) — Noun
faceta(facet/aspect) — Noun
facial(facial) — Adjective
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

Borrowed from the Italian word 'facciata,' which comes from 'faccia' (face). It shares the same roots as the English word 'face.'

First recorded: 17th century

Cognates (Related words)

Italian: facciataFrench: façade

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use 'fachada' to mean my own face?

No. Use 'cara' for your literal face. 'Fachada' is for buildings or a metaphorical 'front' you put on.

Is 'facha' the same as 'fachada'?

Not exactly. 'Facha' is very informal and usually refers to someone's overall look or outfit (sometimes a messy one). In Spain, 'facha' is also a slang term for someone with far-right political views.

What's the difference between 'frente' and 'fachada'?

'Frente' is a general word for 'front.' 'Fachada' is specifically the architectural exterior face of a building.