taller
/tah-YER/
workshop
This image depicts a physical 'taller,' or workshop, where things are made or repaired.
taller(noun)
workshop
?a place where things are made or repaired
,repair shop
?specifically for cars, machinery, or electronics
studio
?artist's or craftsperson's workspace
,garage
?car repair facility (in some regions)
📝 In Action
Mi padre lleva el coche al taller cada seis meses.
A2My father takes the car to the repair shop every six months.
El artista trabaja en su taller hasta muy tarde.
B1The artist works in their studio until very late.
Necesitamos un electricista para el taller de la fábrica.
B2We need an electrician for the factory workshop.
💡 Grammar Points
Masculine Noun
Even though 'taller' ends in -er, it is always a masculine word, so you must use 'el' or 'un' before it: 'el taller'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using 'taller' for a home garage
Mistake: "Voy a poner el coche en el taller (when referring to a home garage)."
Correction: Use 'garaje' or 'cochera' for a garage at home. 'Taller' implies a commercial or professional workspace.
⭐ Usage Tips
Focus on Function
'Taller' is the place where the work happens. If something is broken, you take it 'al taller' (to the workshop) for fixing.
When 'taller' refers to an educational seminar focusing on practical skills, it describes a learning workshop like this pottery class.
taller(noun)
workshop
?educational seminar focusing on practical skills
,hands-on course
?a short, intensive learning session
seminar
?focused instructional meeting
📝 In Action
Tomamos un taller de fotografía digital el sábado pasado.
B1We took a digital photography workshop last Saturday.
La universidad ofrece un taller intensivo de idiomas.
B2The university offers an intensive language course.
El taller de cocina fue muy popular, aprendimos a hacer paella.
A2The cooking workshop was very popular; we learned how to make paella.
💡 Grammar Points
The 'De' Connection
When talking about educational workshops, you almost always use the preposition 'de' (of/about) to specify the topic: 'un taller de pintura' (a painting workshop).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing the two meanings
Mistake: "Fui a un taller mecánico para aprender a arreglar mi bici."
Correction: This is ambiguous. If you went to learn, say 'Fui a un taller para ciclistas'. If you went for a repair, say 'Fui al taller mecánico'. Context is key!
⭐ Usage Tips
Hands-On Focus
This meaning of 'taller' emphasizes practical experience and learning by doing, more than a simple lecture ('conferencia').
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: taller
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'taller' to mean a short, educational course?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Does 'taller' have anything to do with the English word 'tall'?
No, they are false friends! The Spanish 'taller' means 'workshop' or 'studio.' The English word 'tall' (meaning high or elevated) is translated to Spanish words like 'alto' or 'más alto' (taller).
Why is 'taller' masculine if it ends in 'r'?
'Taller' is masculine ('el taller') because it was borrowed directly from the French word 'atelier', and in Spanish, most inanimate places or things default to the masculine gender if they don't end in -a.