sala

/SAH-lah/

living room

A visual representation of the most common meaning of sala: the living room.

sala(Noun)

fA1

living room

The main room in a house for relaxing and entertaining guests.

Also:

sitting room

A slightly more formal term for a living room.

lounge

Common in British English.

📝 In Action

Mi familia y yo vemos la televisión en la sala.

My family and I watch television in the living room.

Los invitados están esperando en la sala de estar.

The guests are waiting in the living room.

Tenemos un sofá nuevo para la sala.

We have a new sofa for the living room.

Word Connections

Synonyms

salón (living room (often implies a larger room))
cuarto de estar (living room / sitting room)

Common Collocations

sala de estar – living room
muebles de sala – living room furniture
juego de sala – living room set (furniture)

💡 Grammar Points

Always Feminine: 'la sala'

Like many nouns ending in '-a', 'sala' is a feminine word. This means you'll always use feminine words like 'la', 'una', or 'esta' with it. For example, 'la sala es grande' (the living room is big).

❌ Common Pitfalls

Using 'cuarto' for 'living room'

Mistake: "El sofá está en el cuarto."

Correction: While 'cuarto' means 'room', it usually refers to a bedroom ('dormitorio'). For the main family room, 'sala' or 'sala de estar' is the best choice. So, you'd say: 'El sofá está en la sala.'

⭐ Usage Tips

'Sala' vs. 'Sala de estar'

You can use 'sala' and 'sala de estar' (literally 'room of being') to mean the same thing: 'living room'. 'Sala' is just a shorter, more common way to say it.

A clean, orderly public waiting room with several rows of connected chairs and a closed door.

Sala can also refer to a public room, such as a waiting room (sala de espera) or a hall.

sala(Noun)

fB1

hall

A large room for events, e.g., 'concert hall'.

room

A designated room in a public building, e.g., 'conference room'.

Also:

auditorium

A large hall for performances.

gallery

A room in a museum.

ward

A section of a hospital, e.g., 'maternity ward'.

courtroom

A room where a legal trial takes place.

📝 In Action

La conferencia será en la sala número cinco.

The conference will be in room number five.

Compramos boletos para la sala de conciertos.

We bought tickets for the concert hall.

El paciente fue trasladado a la sala de urgencias.

The patient was moved to the emergency room/ward.

El juez ordenó silencio en la sala.

The judge ordered silence in the courtroom.

Word Connections

Synonyms

salón (hall (e.g., salón de actos))
auditorio (auditorium)

Common Collocations

sala de cine – movie theater (auditorium)
sala de espera – waiting room
sala de conferencias – conference room
sala de operaciones – operating room
sala de exposiciones – exhibition hall

⭐ Usage Tips

Look for the 'de'

When 'sala' doesn't mean 'living room', it's often followed by 'de' + another noun that tells you what kind of room it is. 'Sala de conciertos' (concert hall), 'sala de urgencias' (emergency room), etc. The second word gives you the context!

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: sala

Question 1 of 1

Which sentence uses 'sala' to mean something other than a living room?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

salón(large room, hall, salon) - noun

salita(small living room, sitting room) - noun

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between 'sala' and 'salón'?

They can often mean the same thing (living room), but there's a slight difference. 'Sala' is the general, everyday word. 'Salón' often suggests a larger, more formal room, like a 'grand hall' or a large living room for entertaining. If you're not sure, 'sala' is usually a safe bet for the living room in a normal house or apartment.

Can I use 'sala' for any room in the house?

No, it's best not to. 'Sala' almost always refers to the living room/sitting room. For other rooms, use their specific names: 'dormitorio' or 'cuarto' (bedroom), 'cocina' (kitchen), and 'baño' (bathroom).