residencia

reh-see-DEN-see-ahresiˈðenθja

“residencia” means “residence” in Spanish. It has 3 different meanings depending on context:

residence🔊A2Noun

place where one lives

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residency🔊B2Noun

legal status/permission to live somewhere

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retirement home🔊B1Noun

facility for the elderly

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residence, home

Also: house

NounfA2

A cozy, brightly colored single-family house with a chimney and a small garden, signifying a place of habitation.

📝 In Action

Su residencia principal está en la capital.

Their main residence is in the capital.

Necesitamos la dirección de su residencia para enviarle el paquete.

We need the address of your residence to send you the package.

El presidente se mudó a su residencia oficial.

The president moved to his official residence.

Word Connections

Synonyms

casa (house)
hogar (home (emotional))
domicilio (address, dwelling)

Common Collocations

residencia de verano – summer residence
residencia habitual – usual residence

residency, permanent residence

Also: visa

NounfB2formal

A person with a friendly expression receiving a large, symbolic, golden key from an outstretched hand, signifying legal permission to reside somewhere.

📝 In Action

Ha solicitado la residencia permanente en España.

He has applied for permanent residency in Spain.

Su tarjeta de residencia vence el próximo año.

His residence card expires next year.

Obtener la residencia fue un proceso largo y complicado.

Obtaining residency was a long and complicated process.

Word Connections

Synonyms

permiso (permit)
ciudadanía (citizenship)

Common Collocations

tarjeta de residencia – residence card (legal document)
solicitar la residencia – to apply for residency

retirement home, nursing home

Also: dormitory

NounfB1

A sunny picture of several happy elderly people sitting on a covered patio or porch of a large, friendly-looking facility, enjoying the afternoon.

📝 In Action

Mi abuela vive ahora en una residencia de ancianos muy agradable.

My grandmother now lives in a very nice retirement home.

La residencia universitaria está cerca del campus.

The university dormitory is close to campus.

Trabajo como enfermera en la residencia local.

I work as a nurse at the local care facility.

Word Connections

Synonyms

asilo (asylum, home (older term))
alojamiento (lodging)

Common Collocations

residencia de ancianos – retirement/nursing home
residencia estudiantil – student residence/dorm

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "residencia" in Spanish:

dormitory→home→house→nursing home→permanent residence→residence→residency→retirement home→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: residencia

Question 1 of 3

¿Cuál es la mejor traducción para 'tarjeta de residencia'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼

residir(to reside, to live) — Verb

residente(resident) — Noun

🎵 Rhymes▼

conciencia ciencia experiencia

📚 Etymology▼

Comes directly from the Latin word *residentia*, meaning 'a dwelling' or 'a place of staying.' It shares roots with the verb *residir* (to reside).

First recorded: Medieval Latin period

Cognates (Related words)

English: residencePortuguese: residênciaItalian: residenza

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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).