residencia
/reh-see-DEN-see-ah/
residence
Residencia can refer to your primary dwelling, your home or residence.
📝 In Action
Su residencia principal está en la capital.
A2Their main residence is in the capital.
Necesitamos la dirección de su residencia para enviarle el paquete.
A2We need the address of your residence to send you the package.
El presidente se mudó a su residencia oficial.
B1The president moved to his official residence.
💡 Grammar Points
Always Feminine
Remember that 'residencia' is always a feminine word, so you must use feminine articles and adjectives with it (e.g., 'la residencia', 'una residencia grande').
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing with 'Hogar'
Mistake: "Usando 'residencia' cuando se refiere a un sentido emocional de hogar."
Correction: Use 'hogar' (home) when talking about the feeling of comfort and belonging, and 'residencia' for the physical location or official address.
⭐ Usage Tips
Formal Contexts
'Residencia' sounds slightly more formal or official than 'casa' or 'hogar'. Use it in legal or administrative documents.
When referring to legal status, residencia means residency, the permission to live in a specific place.
residencia(noun)
residency
?legal status/permission to live somewhere
,permanent residence
?immigration status
visa
?document allowing long-term stay
📝 In Action
Ha solicitado la residencia permanente en España.
B2He has applied for permanent residency in Spain.
Su tarjeta de residencia vence el próximo año.
B2His residence card expires next year.
Obtener la residencia fue un proceso largo y complicado.
C1Obtaining residency was a long and complicated process.
💡 Grammar Points
Using 'Obtener'
When talking about getting this status, use the verb 'obtener' (to obtain) or 'conseguir' (to get): 'Obtuve la residencia'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Legal Documents
In conversations about immigration, 'residencia' usually refers specifically to the legal right or document, not just the physical house.
In the context of facilities for seniors, residencia means retirement home.
residencia(noun)
retirement home
?facility for the elderly
,nursing home
?care facility
dormitory
?student housing (usually 'residencia de estudiantes')
📝 In Action
Mi abuela vive ahora en una residencia de ancianos muy agradable.
B1My grandmother now lives in a very nice retirement home.
La residencia universitaria está cerca del campus.
B1The university dormitory is close to campus.
Trabajo como enfermera en la residencia local.
B2I work as a nurse at the local care facility.
⭐ Usage Tips
Adding Context
To clarify which type of facility you mean, almost always add the phrase 'de ancianos' (for the elderly) or 'estudiantil' (for students).
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: residencia
Question 1 of 3
¿Cuál es la mejor traducción para 'tarjeta de residencia'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
¿Es 'residencia' lo mismo que 'casa'?
They are very similar! 'Casa' is the common, everyday word for 'house' or 'home.' 'Residencia' is slightly more formal and often used for larger, official, or temporary dwellings (like student housing or legal papers).
¿Cómo se dice 'I live in a retirement home'?
The most common way is 'Vivo en una residencia de ancianos' (I live in a home for the elderly).