patio
“patio” means “courtyard” in Spanish. It has 3 different meanings depending on context:
courtyard, backyard
Also: patio
📝 In Action
Necesito limpiar el patio antes de la fiesta.
A1I need to clean the courtyard/backyard before the party.
En las casas antiguas de Sevilla, el patio central es muy hermoso.
A2In the old houses of Seville, the central courtyard is very beautiful.
playground, schoolyard
📝 In Action
Los alumnos salen al patio durante el recreo.
A2The students go out to the playground during recess.
Construyeron un nuevo muro alrededor del patio de la escuela.
B1They built a new wall around the schoolyard.
orchestra stalls
Also: floor (of a theater)
📝 In Action
Nuestros asientos están en el patio de butacas, justo en el centro.
B2Our seats are in the orchestra stalls, right in the center.
El patio del teatro se llenó rápidamente.
C1The floor of the theater filled up quickly.
Translate to Spanish
Words that translate to "patio" in Spanish:
backyard→courtyard→orchestra stalls→patio→playground→schoolyard→✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: patio
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'patio' to mean the seating area of a theater?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
The word comes from the Late Latin term *pactum*, meaning 'paved space' or 'enclosure'. It evolved into 'patio' in Spanish, keeping the core idea of a defined, usually open, floor area.
First recorded: 11th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'patio' the same as 'terraza'?
Not exactly. 'Patio' usually implies a ground-level, often enclosed space, like a backyard or inner courtyard. 'Terraza' (terrace) usually refers to an elevated area, like a balcony or rooftop deck, or sometimes a paved area immediately adjacent to a house, especially one used for dining.
How do I make 'patio' sound smaller and cuter?
You can add the diminutive ending '-cito' to make it 'patiecito.' This is used to talk about a small or cozy courtyard.