a single room
in Spanishuna habitación individual
/OO-nah ah-bee-tah-SYOHN een-dee-bee-DW AHL/
This is the most standard and universally understood term for a hotel room intended for one person, typically with one single bed.
Booking 'una habitación individual' is a key phrase for any solo traveler in a Spanish-speaking country.
💬Other Ways to Say It
una habitación sencilla
/OO-nah ah-bee-tah-SYOHN sen-SEE-yah/
An extremely common alternative to 'individual'. 'Sencilla' literally means 'simple', and in this context, it's the standard opposite of 'una habitación doble' (a double room).
un cuarto individual
/oon KWAR-toh een-dee-bee-DW AHL/
In many parts of Latin America, especially Mexico, 'cuarto' is used just as often as 'habitación' for a hotel room. This phrase is very natural-sounding in those regions.
un cuarto sencillo
/oon KWAR-toh sen-SEE-yoh/
This combines the common Latin American term 'cuarto' with the widely used adjective 'sencillo'. It's another excellent and natural option in these regions.
una habitación para una persona
/OO-nah ah-bee-tah-SYOHN PAH-rah OO-nah pehr-SOH-nah/
This is a more literal, descriptive way to say it: 'a room for one person'. While perfectly correct and clear, it's less common than the specific terms 'individual' or 'sencilla'.
una individual
/OO-nah een-dee-bee-DW AHL/
This is a shortened, slightly informal way of requesting a single room, where the noun 'habitación' is dropped because the context makes it obvious.
🔑Key Words
Key Words to learn:
📊Quick Comparison
Choosing the right term for a 'single room' often depends on the region and context. Here's a quick comparison of the most common options.
| Phrase | Formality | Best For | Avoid When |
|---|---|---|---|
| una habitación individual | Neutral | Universally understood hotel and booking contexts. It's never a bad choice. | Never necessary to avoid; it's always correct. |
| una habitación sencilla | Neutral | Interchangeable with 'individual', especially when contrasting with a 'doble' (double room). | Never necessary to avoid; it's also always correct. |
| un cuarto individual/sencillo | Neutral | Sounding more natural in Mexico and Central America. | In Spain, where 'habitación' is strongly preferred for hotel rooms. |
| una individual | Casual | Quick, casual requests at the front desk when the context is obvious. | In formal written communication or when you want to be very precise. |
📈Difficulty Level
The 'h' in 'habitación' is silent, which is easy to remember. The 'ci' in 'sencilla' (seh-SEE-yah) can be a minor hurdle, but it's very manageable.
The main grammatical point is remembering that 'habitación' is feminine ('una habitación'), which requires a little practice but is a fundamental concept.
The concept is very straightforward and doesn't carry complex cultural baggage. A single room is a single room everywhere.
Key Challenges:
- Remembering that 'habitación' is feminine ('una', not 'un')
- Knowing to use 'cuarto' in Mexico vs. 'habitación' in Spain
💡Examples in Action
Quisiera reservar una habitación individual para dos noches, por favor.
I would like to reserve a single room for two nights, please.
¿Cuánto cuesta una habitación sencilla por noche?
How much does a single room cost per night?
Disculpe, ¿tienen un cuarto individual disponible para este fin de semana?
Excuse me, do you have a single room available for this weekend?
Solo necesito una habitación para una persona, la más económica que tenga.
I just need a room for one person, the most economical one you have.
🌍Cultural Context
Single Room vs. Single Bed
In Spanish, 'una habitación individual' or 'sencilla' almost always implies a room with one small bed (una cama individual). If you're a solo traveler but want a larger bed, you should ask for 'una habitación con cama matrimonial' or 'cama doble' (a room with a double bed).
The 'Sencilla' vs. 'Doble' Choice
When you check into a hotel, the most common question you'll hear is, '¿Habitación sencilla o doble?' (Single or double room?). Thinking of 'sencilla' as the standard counterpart to 'doble' is a great way to remember it.
Hostels Have Different Rules
If you're staying in a hostel ('albergue' or 'hostal'), asking for 'una habitación individual' means you want a private room. This is different from asking for 'una cama en un dormitorio compartido' (a bed in a shared dorm), which is the more common, cheaper option.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using 'Solo' Incorrectly
Mistake: "Saying 'un solo cuarto' to mean 'a single room'."
Correction: Una habitación individual / Un cuarto sencillo.
Gender Agreement with 'Habitación'
Mistake: "Un habitación individual."
Correction: Una habitación individual.
Confusing 'Individual' with 'Único'
Mistake: "Quiero una habitación única."
Correction: Quiero una habitación individual.
💡Pro Tips
Be Polite with 'Quisiera'
When making a request, using 'Quisiera...' ('I would like...') is much more polite and natural than 'Quiero...' ('I want...'). Always try to start your request with 'Quisiera reservar una habitación individual, por favor'.
Confirm the Bed Size if it Matters
Don't assume the bed size. After requesting your room, it's wise to ask, '¿La cama es individual o matrimonial?' ('Is the bed a twin or a double?') to avoid surprises.
Listen for the Key Words
When you call a hotel, listen for the receptionist to use 'individual', 'sencilla', or 'doble'. Mirroring the language they use is a great way to ensure you're both on the same page.
🗺️Regional Variations
Spain
The word 'cuarto' is almost never used for a hotel room in Spain; it refers to a room in a house (like a bedroom or bathroom). Stick exclusively to 'habitación' to sound natural.
Mexico
'Cuarto' is extremely common and is used interchangeably with 'habitación' for hotel rooms. Using 'cuarto' can make you sound slightly more familiar with local Spanish.
Argentina
While 'sencilla' is understood, 'simple' is a very common alternative for 'single' in this context. You will also hear the 'voseo' form of verbs, e.g., '¿Tenés una habitación?' instead of '¿Tienes...?'.
💬What Comes Next?
After you request a single room.
¿Para cuántas noches?
For how many nights?
Para tres noches.
For three nights.
The receptionist is confirming details.
¿Con desayuno incluido?
With breakfast included?
Sí, gracias. / No, solo la habitación.
Yes, thank you. / No, just the room.
After they've found a room for you.
Necesito su pasaporte y una tarjeta de crédito.
I need your passport and a credit card.
Aquí tiene.
Here you go.
🎯Your Learning Path
➡️ Learn Next:
a double room
This is the most common alternative you'll be offered when booking a room.
I would like to book...
This is the polite and essential phrase you'll use to make your request for a room.
Do you have any vacancies?
A crucial question to ask when arriving at a hotel without a reservation.
How much is it per night?
The next logical question after confirming they have the room you want.
✏️Test Your Knowledge
💡 Quick Quiz: a single room
Question 1 of 3
You're in Mexico City and walk into a hotel. What's the most natural way to ask if they have a single room available?
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between 'habitación individual' and 'habitación sencilla'?
In practice, there is no difference. Both 'individual' and 'sencilla' mean 'single' in a hotel context and are used interchangeably. 'Sencilla' is often used as the direct opposite of 'doble' (double), so you might hear it more when being presented with a choice.
Is it better to use 'habitación' or 'cuarto'?
'Habitación' is universally understood and is always a safe bet. 'Cuarto' is more common in Mexico and parts of Central America. Using 'cuarto' in those regions will make you sound more natural, but using 'habitación' is also perfectly fine.
If I'm traveling alone but want a big bed, what should I ask for?
You should ask for 'una habitación con cama matrimonial' or 'cama doble'. If you just ask for 'una habitación individual', you will almost certainly get a room with a small, twin-sized bed.
Can I just say 'una individual'?
Yes, you can, but only when the context is very clear, like when you are standing at the hotel reception desk. It's a casual shortcut. For clarity, especially over the phone or in writing, it's better to use the full phrase 'una habitación individual'.
Why is 'habitación' feminine?
In Spanish, nouns have a gender that is not always logical. A general rule is that most nouns ending in '-ción', like 'habitación', are feminine. This means you must use feminine articles and adjectives with it, like 'una' and 'sencilla'.
What if I want a room with two separate beds?
In that case, you would ask for 'una habitación doble con dos camas' or 'una habitación con dos camas individuales'. Just asking for 'una habitación doble' might get you a room with one large bed for two people.
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