Inklingo

How to Say "cubicle" in Spanish

English → Spanish

cabina

/kah-BEE-nah//kaˈβina/

nounA2general
Use 'cabina' for a small, partitioned workspace, often found in offices.
A small, cozy ship cabin compartment featuring a circular porthole looking out onto the ocean, and a neatly made bunk bed.

Examples

Mi oficina es un cubículo pequeño, pero es suficiente para mi trabajo.

My office is a small cubicle, but it's enough for my work.

Nuestra cabina en el barco tenía vistas al mar.

Our cabin on the boat had sea views.

El piloto se comunicó con la torre de control desde la cabina.

The pilot communicated with the control tower from the cockpit.

Hay una cabina telefónica antigua justo en la esquina.

There is an old telephone booth right on the corner.

Feminine Noun Rule

'Cabina' is a feminine noun, so you must always use feminine articles ('la', 'una') and feminine adjectives with it: 'la cabina pequeña' (the small cabin).

Confusing Cockpit/Cabin

Mistake: “Using 'cabina' only for the pilot's area, when 'cabina' can also mean the main passenger area (cabin).”

Correction: To be specific about the pilot's area, use 'cabina de vuelo' or 'cabina del piloto'. For the passenger area, 'cabina' or 'cabina de pasajeros' works.

celda

SELL-dahˈsel.da

nounA2general
Use 'celda' for a very small, enclosed, and often restrictive space, like a prison cell or a monk's cell.
A small, sparse prison room with concrete walls, a narrow cot, and a small window with thick vertical bars, illustrating a detention cell.

Examples

El guardia revisó la celda del prisionero.

The guard checked the prisoner's cell.

El ladrón fue encerrado en una celda de aislamiento.

The thief was locked in an isolation cell.

Cada monje tiene su propia celda pequeña para meditar.

Each monk has his own small cell for meditation.

Feminine Noun

Remember that 'celda' always takes feminine articles: 'la celda' (the cell) and 'una celda' (a cell).

Office vs. Prison

Learners often confuse 'cabina' and 'celda' because both can mean a small space. Remember that 'cabina' is typically used for an office cubicle or a small booth, while 'celda' implies a much more confined and often negative space like a jail cell.

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