Inklingo
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techo

/TAY-cho/

roof

A storybook illustration of a small house with a distinct red tiled roof.

As an exterior covering, 'techo' means roof.

techo(noun)

mA1

roof

?

The exterior covering of a building

📝 In Action

Necesitamos arreglar el techo antes de que llueva.

A1

We need to fix the roof before it rains.

El gato siempre se sube al techo de la casa.

A2

The cat always climbs onto the roof of the house.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • cubierta (covering)

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • techo de tejas – tiled roof
  • gotera en el techo – leak in the roof

Idioms & Expressions

  • Sin techo – Homeless person (literally 'without a roof')

💡 Grammar Points

Masculine Noun

Remember that 'techo' is always masculine, so you must use 'el' (the) or 'un' (a/an) before it.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Mixing Techo and Cubierta

Mistake: "Using 'cubierta' when specifically referring to the roof of a house."

Correction: 'Techo' is the standard word for a building's roof; 'cubierta' is often used for deck/ship covering or generic coverings.

⭐ Usage Tips

Visualizing the Difference

Think of 'techo' as the thing protecting you from the rain (the exterior) and also the surface you see when looking up (the interior).

A storybook illustration showing the perspective looking up at a plain white room ceiling with a small lamp.

When referring to the inner upper surface of a room, 'techo' means ceiling.

techo(noun)

mA1

ceiling

?

The inner upper surface of a room

📝 In Action

La lámpara cuelga del techo de la sala.

A1

The lamp hangs from the ceiling of the living room.

El techo es demasiado bajo; casi puedo tocarlo.

A1

The ceiling is too low; I can almost touch it.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • cielo raso (false ceiling (often specialized))

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • pintar el techo – to paint the ceiling
  • luz de techo – ceiling light

⭐ Usage Tips

One Word, Two Concepts

Unlike English (roof/ceiling), Spanish uses 'techo' for both the internal surface you see when looking up and the external covering that keeps the rain out.

A storybook illustration showing a stack of colorful blocks hitting a solid horizontal wooden plank, symbolizing a hard limit or maximum capacity.

Figuratively, 'techo' can mean limit or maximum capacity.

techo(noun)

mB2

limit

?

Maximum level or capacity

,

cap

?

Financial or regulatory maximum

Also:

upper bound

?

Statistical or mathematical limit

📝 In Action

Han puesto un techo al precio de la gasolina.

B2

They have put a cap on the price of gasoline.

Siento que he tocado techo en esta empresa; ya no puedo ascender más.

C1

I feel like I've hit the ceiling in this company; I can't be promoted any further.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • límite (limit)
  • máximo (maximum)

Antonyms

  • piso (floor/minimum)

Common Collocations

  • techo salarial – salary cap
  • techo de cristal – glass ceiling (invisible barrier)

Idioms & Expressions

  • Tocar techo – To reach the limit; to peak; to hit a ceiling.

💡 Grammar Points

Figurative Use

When 'techo' is used figuratively, it refers to the highest point or limit you can reach, often in a career or economic situation.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Using 'Límite' vs. 'Techo'

Mistake: "Sometimes learners use 'límite' when 'techo' sounds more idiomatic for a maximum level."

Correction: Use 'techo' for established caps (like salary or debt) or reaching a personal peak. Example: 'Hemos llegado al techo de la deuda' (We've reached the debt ceiling).

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: techo

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence uses 'techo' in its figurative meaning, referring to a limit?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

techar(to roof/to cover) - verb
techado(roofing/covered area) - noun

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I distinguish between 'roof' and 'ceiling' in Spanish since both are 'techo'?

Context is key! If you are talking about rain, weather, or climbing, you mean the external roof. If you are talking about lamps, height inside a room, or painting, you mean the internal ceiling.

What is the meaning of 'techo de cristal'?

This is a common phrase meaning 'glass ceiling.' It refers to an invisible barrier, usually based on gender or ethnicity, that prevents someone from rising to the highest levels in a company or profession.