A close-up view of a small house featuring a prominent, brightly colored red tiled roof.

tejado

te-HAH-doh

nounmA2

roof?The exterior covering of a building.

Also:tiled roof?Specifically referring to a roof covered in tiles.

📝 In Action

El tejado de la iglesia es muy antiguo y necesita reparación.

The church roof is very old and needs repair.

Vimos al gato durmiendo sobre el tejado.

We saw the cat sleeping on the roof.

Las tejas rojas le dan un color bonito al tejado de la cabaña.

The red tiles give the cabin's roof a beautiful color.

Word Connections

Synonyms

techo (roof/ceiling (general term))

Common Collocations

arreglar el tejado – to fix the roof
tejado a dos aguas – gabled roof

💡 Grammar Points

Masculine Noun

Since 'tejado' ends in '-o', it is a masculine noun and always uses the masculine articles (el, un, los, unos).

❌ Common Pitfalls

Tejado vs. Techo

Mistake: "Using 'tejado' when referring to the interior ceiling."

Correction: Use 'techo' (ceiling) for the inside surface you look up at, and 'tejado' for the exterior structure, especially if it's sloped or tiled.

⭐ Usage Tips

Visualizing the Difference

'Tejado' often suggests the structure you can walk on (if you're brave!) or see from outside. It usually implies a pitched roof, common in rainy areas.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: tejado

Question 1 of 2

If you are inside a room and look up, what is the Spanish word for the part of the house you see?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

teja(roof tile) - noun

techar(to roof (a building)) - verb

techo(ceiling; roof (general)) - noun

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'tejado' always a tiled roof?

Not always, but most often. 'Tejado' emphasizes the exterior structure that covers the building. It usually implies a pitched or sloped roof, which traditionally used 'tejas' (tiles), but it can be used for roofs made of other materials too.

How do I say 'flat roof'?

For a flat roof, especially one that is designed to be used as a terrace or patio, the best word is 'azotea'.