Inklingo

How to Say "chair" in Spanish

English → Spanish

silla

see-yahˈsiʝa

nounA1furniture
Use 'silla' when referring to the common piece of furniture you sit on.
A simple, empty wooden chair with a high back, standing alone on a flat surface.

Examples

Por favor, toma una silla y siéntate.

Please, grab a chair and sit down.

Compramos seis sillas nuevas para el comedor.

We bought six new chairs for the dining room.

Necesito una silla más ergonómica para trabajar todo el día.

I need a more ergonomic chair to work all day.

Feminine Noun

Remember that 'silla' is always feminine. Use 'la' before it, and if you use an adjective, it must end in '-a' (e.g., 'la silla roja', the red chair).

Using the wrong size word

Mistake: “Using 'sillón' when you mean a standard 'chair'.”

Correction: 'Sillón' means a large, comfy armchair. 'Silla' is the standard four-legged chair you sit on at a table.

asiento

ah-SYEN-tohaˈsjento

nounA1furniture
Use 'asiento' to refer to a place or spot designated for sitting, especially in public places or when reserving a space.
A brightly colored, simple wooden chair with four legs and a backrest, sitting alone in a bright room.

Examples

¿Puedes guardar mi asiento por favor? Voy al baño.

Can you save my seat please? I’m going to the bathroom.

Todos los asientos del autobús estaban ocupados.

All the seats on the bus were taken.

Este asiento es muy cómodo, pero está un poco sucio.

This chair is very comfortable, but it is a bit dirty.

Gender Check

Since 'asiento' ends in -o, it is masculine. Use 'el asiento' or 'un asiento'.

cátedra

nounB2the department or specific subject area a professor leads
Use 'cátedra' in an academic context to mean a professorship or the department/subject a professor leads.

Examples

Ella obtuvo la cátedra de Biología en la Universidad de Madrid.

She obtained the Biology chair at the University of Madrid.

Silla vs. Asiento

The most common mistake is using 'silla' when you mean a 'seat' in a public context. Remember, 'silla' is primarily the physical furniture, while 'asiento' refers to the place or spot for sitting.

Related Translations

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