Inklingo

How to Say "apartment" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “apartment” is “apartamento” — use this general term for a rented or owned dwelling unit within a larger building, widely understood across Spanish-speaking regions..

apartamento🔊A1

Use this general term for a rented or owned dwelling unit within a larger building, widely understood across Spanish-speaking regions.

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piso🔊A1

This is a very common term for an apartment or flat, particularly prevalent in Spain and some parts of Latin America.

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departamento🔊A2

This is the most common word for 'apartment' in many Latin American countries.

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estudio🔊A1

Use this word specifically for a small, one-room apartment, often a studio apartment, commonly heard in Spain.

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unidad🔊B2

This term refers to a dwelling unit within a larger building, often used in real estate contexts or when emphasizing it as a distinct unit.

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pis🔊A1

This is a less common, informal term, often used humorously or in very specific contexts, and is not standard Spanish for 'apartment'.

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English → Spanish

apartamento

/ah-par-tah-MEN-toh//a.paɾ.taˈmen.to/

nounA1general
Use this general term for a rented or owned dwelling unit within a larger building, widely understood across Spanish-speaking regions.
A colorful illustration depicting the exterior facade of a tall apartment building, showing multiple stacked windows and balconies representing individual dwelling units.

Examples

Necesito un apartamento con dos dormitorios.

I need an apartment with two bedrooms.

¿Cuánto cuesta alquilar este apartamento cerca de la playa?

How much does it cost to rent this apartment near the beach?

Hemos decorado el apartamento con muebles modernos.

We have decorated the flat with modern furniture.

Masculine Noun Rule

Since 'apartamento' ends in -o, it uses the masculine article 'el' (el apartamento) and the masculine plural 'los' (los apartamentos). This is a very common pattern for Spanish nouns.

Using the wrong article

Mistake: “La apartamento es muy grande.”

Correction: El apartamento es muy grande. Remember 'apartamento' is masculine.

piso

/pee-so//ˈpiso/

nounA1general
This is a very common term for an apartment or flat, particularly prevalent in Spain and some parts of Latin America.
A colorful, simple illustration of a multi-story city building with a single apartment window highlighted, representing a flat or apartment.

Examples

Mi hermana vive en un piso en el centro de Barcelona.

My sister lives in an apartment in the center of Barcelona.

¿Estás buscando un piso para alquilar o para comprar?

Are you looking for an apartment to rent or to buy?

Regional Usage

Mistake: “Using 'piso' in all Spanish-speaking countries to mean 'apartment'.”

Correction: While understood, 'apartamento' or 'departamento' are much more common in most of Latin America. 'Piso' is the main word in Spain.

departamento

/de-par-ta-MEN-to//depaɾta'mento/

nounA2general
This is the most common word for 'apartment' in many Latin American countries.
A brightly lit window on the third floor of a large, colorful apartment building, showing a small potted plant on the windowsill.

Examples

Vivo en un departamento pequeño en el centro de la ciudad.

I live in a small apartment in the city center.

¿Estás buscando un departamento para alquilar?

Are you looking for an apartment to rent?

Mis padres compraron un departamento con vista al mar.

My parents bought an apartment with an ocean view.

Masculine Noun

Even though it ends in '-o', remember that 'departamento' is a masculine word. So, you'll always use 'el' or 'un' with it: 'el departamento' (the apartment), 'un departamento' (an apartment).

estudio

es-TOO-dyoh/esˈtuðjo/

nounA1general
Use this word specifically for a small, one-room apartment, often a studio apartment, commonly heard in Spain.
A focused child sitting at a wooden desk, reading a large open book, illustrating the act of learning.

Examples

Alquilé un estudio amueblado cerca de la universidad.

I rented a furnished studio apartment near the university.

Necesito concentrarme en mi estudio para el examen.

I need to concentrate on my studying for the exam.

Mi hermana alquiló un pequeño estudio cerca de la universidad.

My sister rented a small studio apartment near the university.

El fotógrafo tiene su propio estudio en el centro de la ciudad.

The photographer has his own studio in the city center.

Masculine Noun Rule

Even though 'estudio' ends in '-o', which usually indicates a masculine word, it's good practice to always memorize the article: 'el estudio'.

Confusing 'estudio' (noun) and 'estudiar' (verb)

Mistake: “Hago estudio todos los días. (I do study every day.)”

Correction: Estudio todos los días. (I study every day.) 'Estudio' as a noun is the act; 'estudio' as a verb form is the action itself.

unidad

oo-nee-DAHD/u.niˈðað/

nounB2formal/real estate
This term refers to a dwelling unit within a larger building, often used in real estate contexts or when emphasizing it as a distinct unit.
A colorful storybook cross-section drawing of a building, focusing on a single, well-lit apartment unit on the middle floor.

Examples

Estamos buscando una unidad de dos dormitorios para alquilar.

We are looking for a two-bedroom apartment (unit) to rent.

El edificio tiene 40 unidades residenciales.

The building has 40 residential units.

pis

pees/pis/

nounA1informal/slang
This is a less common, informal term, often used humorously or in very specific contexts, and is not standard Spanish for 'apartment'.
A colorful, three-story residential apartment building with several identical windows and small balconies.

Examples

¡Qué pis tan chulo!

What a cool flat!

Estamos buscando un pis de tres habitaciones cerca del metro.

We are looking for a three-bedroom flat near the subway.

Mi pis está en el quinto piso, así que uso el ascensor.

My apartment is on the fifth floor, so I use the elevator.

Always Masculine

This abbreviated noun is masculine: 'un pis' or 'el pis'.

Confusing with 'Piso'

Mistake: “Thinking 'pis' refers to the floor level (like 'first floor').”

Correction: 'Pis' is only used to mean the entire dwelling (the apartment). If you mean the level, you must say 'piso'.

Regional Differences are Key

The most frequent confusion arises between 'apartamento', 'piso', and 'departamento'. Remember that 'departamento' is standard in most of Latin America, while 'piso' is very common in Spain. 'Apartamento' is generally understood everywhere but may sound slightly more formal or generic than the regional preference.

Related Translations

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