📝 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?
❌ Common Pitfalls
Regional Usage
Mistake: "Using 'piso' in all Spanish-speaking countries to mean 'apartment'."
Correction: While understood, 'apartamento' or 'departamento' are much more common in most of Latin America. 'Piso' is the main word in Spain.
⭐ Usage Tips
Think 'Flat'
If you speak British English, this is a direct equivalent to 'flat.' For American English speakers, it's your go-to word for 'apartment' when you're in Spain.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: piso
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'piso' to mean a place where someone lives?
📚 More Resources
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).