portal
“portal” means “main entrance” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
main entrance, doorway
Also: lobby, gate
📝 In Action
El portal de la iglesia estaba decorado con flores.
A2The main entrance of the church was decorated with flowers.
Esperamos en el portal hasta que llegó la vecina.
B1We waited in the lobby until the neighbor arrived.
Es un portal antiguo con mucha historia.
B1It is an old doorway with a lot of history.
web portal, website
Also: gateway
📝 In Action
Accede al portal del gobierno para hacer tus trámites.
B1Access the government's web portal to do your paperwork.
Nuestro portal de clientes tiene toda la información necesaria.
B2Our client portal has all the necessary information.
Translate to Spanish
Words that translate to "portal" in Spanish:
doorway→gate→gateway→lobby→main entrance→web portal→website→✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: portal
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'portal' in its digital context?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
Comes directly from the Late Latin word *portāle*, which means 'pertaining to a gate' or 'gatehouse'. It is based on the Latin word *porta* (door/gate).
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
¿Es 'portal' una palabra masculina o femenina?
'Portal' es siempre masculino. Aunque termina en -al, siempre decimos 'el portal', no 'la portal'. This is a common pattern for nouns referring to places or objects.
Does 'portal' only refer to the internet?
No. While it is very common on the internet (web portal), its original meaning is a physical doorway, especially a grand or important one, like the entrance to a cathedral or the lobby of an apartment building.

