pisos
“pisos” means “apartments” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
apartments, flats
Also: homes
📝 In Action
Estamos buscando pisos más grandes para la familia.
A1We are looking for bigger apartments for the family.
En Madrid, los pisos en el centro son muy caros.
B1In Madrid, the flats in the center are very expensive.
floors, stories
Also: ground surfaces
📝 In Action
Subimos por las escaleras hasta los últimos pisos.
A2We went up the stairs to the top floors.
Hay que limpiar todos los pisos de la casa antes de la fiesta.
A1We have to clean all the floors of the house before the party.
Translate to Spanish
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: pisos
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'pisos' to mean 'apartment'?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
The word 'piso' comes from the older Spanish word 'pisar,' which meant 'to tread' or 'to step on.' This gave rise to the idea of a 'flat surface you step on' (the floor/ground), and later, the 'level' or 'story' of a building. Finally, in Spain, it became the common term for the dwelling unit built on that level.
First recorded: Medieval Spanish (around 13th century)
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'piso' the same as 'suelo'?
They are related but different! 'Piso' usually refers to the interior surface or the level of a building (like 'wooden floor' or 'second floor'). 'Suelo' is more general, referring to the ground, the earth, or the material covering the ground outside.
How do I know if 'pisos' means 'apartments' or 'floors'?
Context is key, but the biggest clue is the region. If you are in Spain, it almost certainly means 'apartments.' If you are talking about the height of a building (e.g., '30 pisos'), it means 'floors' everywhere.