torre
/TOH-rreh/
tower
Torre can refer to a tall structure, like this imposing stone tower.
torre(noun)
tower
?tall structure
spire
?tall, pointed roof structure
,high-rise building
?modern tall structure
📝 In Action
La Torre de Pisa se está inclinando.
A1The Tower of Pisa is leaning.
Hay una torre de vigilancia en la entrada del puerto.
A2There is a watchtower at the entrance to the port.
Desde lo alto de la torre se puede ver toda la ciudad.
A1From the top of the tower, you can see the whole city.
💡 Grammar Points
Gender Rule
Even though many words ending in '-e' can be masculine, 'torre' is always feminine. Remember to use 'la' or 'una' with it.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Incorrect Article
Mistake: "El torre es alta."
Correction: La torre es alta. (Always use the feminine article 'la'.)
⭐ Usage Tips
Visualizing
Think of the famous towers you know (Eiffel, Pisa) to help remember this word, as it is a direct translation of the English word.
In chess, the piece known as the rook is also called a torre.
📝 In Action
Movió la torre para defender al rey.
B1He moved the rook to defend the king.
La torre es la pieza más fuerte después de la reina.
B2The rook is the strongest piece after the queen.
💡 Grammar Points
Context is Key
When talking about chess, 'torre' is the piece that looks like a little castle.
A modern computer casing, often called a desktop tower, is another meaning of torre.
📝 In Action
La torre de mi computadora es demasiado grande para mi escritorio.
B2My computer tower is too big for my desk.
Hay que limpiar el polvo dentro de la torre para que no se sobrecaliente.
C1You have to clean the dust inside the computer tower so it doesn't overheat.
💡 Grammar Points
Modern Usage
This meaning is a modern extension of the idea of a tall, vertical structure. It refers to the main box that holds the computer's components.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: torre
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'torre' in its meaning as a piece in a game?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
¿Por qué 'torre' es femenino?
La palabra 'torre' es femenina ('la torre') porque su raíz en latín, *turris*, también era femenina. Even though many Spanish words ending in -e are masculine, 'torre' follows the gender of its original Latin form.
If I see a tall office building, should I call it 'torre'?
Yes, you can! While 'rascacielos' (skyscraper) is more specific for very tall modern buildings, 'torre' is often used as a general term for any large, tall structure, like 'la Torre Mayor' (a famous skyscraper in Mexico City).