portón
“portón” means “gate” in Spanish (a large entrance for cars or animals).
gate, large door
Also: garage door, main entrance
📝 In Action
El portón del garaje es automático.
A1The garage gate is automatic.
Pintamos el portón de madera para que luzca como nuevo.
A2We painted the large wooden door so it looks like new.
Al llegar a la finca, tuvimos que abrir un portón de hierro.
B1When we arrived at the farm, we had to open a large iron gate.
Translate to Spanish
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: portón
Question 1 of 3
Which of these would most likely be called a 'portón'?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
Derived from the Spanish word 'puerta' (door), which comes from the Latin 'porta.' The '-ón' ending was added as an augmentative to indicate large size.
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use 'portón' for a normal house door?
Usually no. 'Portón' implies it is significantly larger or heavier than a standard interior door. Use 'puerta' for regular doors.
What is a 'portón eléctrico'?
It is an automated gate, common in garages or gated communities, that opens with a remote control.
Why does the accent disappear in 'portones'?
In Spanish, we use accents to show which syllable is stressed. When we add '-es', the natural stress rules change, and the written accent is no longer needed to keep the sound on the 'o'.