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posada

po-SAH-dah/poˈsaða/

“posada” means “inn” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

inn, guesthouse

Also: shelter, lodging
NounfA2
A cozy, small stone building with a warm glowing lantern hanging by the wooden door.

📝 In Action

Buscamos una posada para pasar la noche.

A1

We are looking for an inn to spend the night.

La posada del pueblo es muy acogedora.

A2

The town's guesthouse is very cozy.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • hostal (hostel/small hotel)
  • albergue (shelter/hostel)
  • mesón (old-fashioned inn)

Common Collocations

  • dar posada – to give someone a place to stay
  • pedir posada – to ask for a place to stay

Christmas party, procession

NounfB1
Mexico
A group of people standing in a festive courtyard around a colorful star-shaped piñata.

📝 In Action

Mañana tenemos la posada de la oficina.

A2

Tomorrow we have the office Christmas party.

Los niños cantan villancicos durante la posada.

B1

The children sing carols during the Christmas procession.

Word Connections

Common Collocations

  • las posadas – the nine-day Christmas festival

Idioms & Expressions

  • pedir posada – To perform the ritual song asking for shelter

Translate to Spanish

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: posada

Question 1 of 1

If you are in Mexico in mid-December and someone invites you to a 'posada', what should you expect?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
posadero(innkeeper) — Noun
posar(to lodge or to rest) — Verb
aposento(lodging/room) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

From the Spanish verb 'posar' (to rest), which comes from the Latin word 'pausare' meaning 'to stop or cease.'

First recorded: 12th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: pauseFrench: poser

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between 'hostal' and 'posada'?

A 'hostal' is usually a budget-friendly place, often like a hostel. A 'posada' is typically more traditional, historic, or rural, similar to a cozy country inn.

Is 'posada' only used for Christmas?

No. While it is a very famous Christmas tradition, the word also literally means an 'inn' or a place to stay year-round.