ático
ah-tee-koh
📝 In Action
Mi hermana vive en un ático precioso en el centro de Madrid.
A2My sister lives in a beautiful penthouse in the center of Madrid.
El ático tiene una terraza muy grande con muchas plantas.
A2The penthouse has a very large terrace with many plants.
Guardamos las maletas viejas arriba, en el ático.
B1We keep the old suitcases upstairs, in the attic.
💡 Grammar Points
Always Masculine
Even though it refers to a home or a floor, 'ático' is always a masculine word. You should always use 'el' or 'un' with it.
The Stress Mark
The word has a written accent on the 'á' because the voice is strongest on the third-to-last syllable. This is a rule for all words stressed in that position.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Ático vs. Buhardilla
Mistake: "Using 'ático' for a dusty, cramped storage space."
Correction: In Spain, 'ático' usually sounds like a nice, expensive top-floor flat. Use 'buhardilla' or 'desván' for a typical storage attic.
⭐ Usage Tips
Real Estate Magic
In Spanish cities, living in an 'ático' is a status symbol because it usually means you have a private terrace and no neighbors living above you!
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: ático
Question 1 of 2
If you are looking for an 'ático' in Madrid, what are you most likely looking for?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an 'ático' the same as a 'buhardilla'?
Not exactly. An 'ático' is the whole top floor, often modern and expensive. A 'buhardilla' is usually a room with slanted ceilings right under the roof.
Why does 'ático' have an accent mark?
It's an 'esdrújula' word, meaning the stress falls on the third-to-last syllable. In Spanish, these words always require a written accent mark.