piso
“piso” means “apartment” in Spanish. It has 4 different meanings depending on context:
apartment, flat
📝 In Action
Mi hermana vive en un piso en el centro de Barcelona.
A1My sister lives in an apartment in the center of Barcelona.
¿Estás buscando un piso para alquilar o para comprar?
A2Are you looking for an apartment to rent or to buy?
floor
Also: ground
📝 In Action
Ten cuidado, el piso está mojado.
A1Be careful, the floor is wet.
El niño dejó caer sus juguetes en el piso.
A2The child dropped his toys on the floor.
floor, story
📝 In Action
La oficina del jefe está en el quinto piso.
A2The boss's office is on the fifth floor.
Vivimos en un edificio de diez pisos.
B1We live in a ten-story building.
I step on
Also: I tread on
📝 In Action
¡Ay! Sin querer piso la cola del gato.
B1Ouch! I accidentally step on the cat's tail.
Cuando bailo, siempre le piso los pies a mi pareja.
B2When I dance, I always step on my partner's feet.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
🔀 Commonly Confused With
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✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: piso
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'piso' to mean a place where someone lives?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
The word 'piso' has two separate origins. The noun (for floor, apartment) comes from the Latin word 'pensum', which meant 'something weighed' and later evolved to mean a payment or portion, and eventually a story of a house. The verb form comes from a different Latin word, 'pinsare', meaning 'to crush' or 'to pound'.
First recorded: 13th century (for the noun)
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between 'piso' and 'suelo'?
They can often be used interchangeably for 'floor'. However, 'suelo' can also mean 'ground' outdoors, while 'piso' is almost always used for interior floors or finished surfaces. 'Piso' also has the other meanings of 'apartment' and 'story/level', which 'suelo' does not.
In Latin America, should I use 'piso', 'apartamento', or 'departamento'?
To be safe, use 'apartamento' or 'departamento'. While 'piso' might be understood in context, it's not the common word for 'apartment' in most of Latin America, where it's more likely to be understood as 'floor'.
How do I know if 'piso' is a noun or a verb?
Look at the context! If it's talking about a place or a surface, it's a noun (e.g., 'el piso' - the floor). If it's describing an action done by 'yo' (I), it's the verb 'I step on' (e.g., 'yo piso' - I step on).