How to Say "flat" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “flat” is “piso” — use this common, general term for an apartment or flat, widely understood in both Spain and Latin America, often influenced by British English usage.
piso
pee-soˈpiso
Examples
Mi tía vive en un piso grande en Madrid.
My aunt lives in a big apartment in Madrid.
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.
apartamento
ah-par-tah-MEN-toha.paɾ.taˈmen.to
Examples
Busco un apartamento de dos habitaciones cerca de la universidad.
I'm looking for a two-bedroom apartment near the university.
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.
departamento
de-par-ta-MEN-todepaɾta'mento
Examples
Mi amigo alquiló un departamento nuevo en el centro.
My friend rented a new apartment downtown.
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).
llano
yah-noˈʝano
Examples
El campo de fútbol es completamente llano.
The soccer field is completely flat.
El terreno es muy llano y perfecto para construir.
The land is very flat and perfect for building.
Me gusta su lenguaje llano porque todos lo entienden.
I like his simple language because everyone understands him.
A pesar de su fama, sigue siendo un hombre llano.
Despite his fame, he is still a down-to-earth man.
Changing for Gender
Since this is an adjective, remember to change the ending to 'llana' if the person or thing you are describing is feminine (e.g., 'una superficie llana').
Word Stress Category
In Spanish grammar lessons, you will hear about 'palabras llanas'. These are words where you put the emphasis on the second-to-last syllable, like 'casa' or 'perro'.
Llano vs. Plano
Mistake: “Using 'llano' for a map or a 2D floor plan.”
Correction: Use 'plano' for maps or diagrams. Use 'llano' for physical ground or personality.
plano
plah-nohˈplano
Examples
Asegúrate de que la mesa esté plana antes de poner el vaso.
Make sure the table is flat before putting the glass on it.
Necesitamos una superficie completamente plana para construir la pared.
We need a completely flat surface to build the wall.
La carretera es muy plana aquí; no hay colinas.
The road is very level here; there are no hills.
Gender Agreement
As an adjective, 'plano' must match the noun it describes. Use 'plano' for masculine nouns (el muro plano) and 'plana' for feminine nouns (la tabla plana).
pis
peespis
Examples
Mi primo compró un pis pequeño en el barrio gótico.
My cousin bought a small flat in the Gothic Quarter.
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'.
unidad
oo-nee-DAHDu.niˈðað
Examples
La inmobiliaria ofrece una unidad de lujo con vistas al mar.
The real estate agency offers a luxury apartment (unit) with sea views.
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.
mate
MAH-tehˈma.te
Examples
Pintamos las paredes con un acabado mate para evitar reflejos.
We painted the walls with a matte finish to avoid reflections.
Prefiero la pintura mate para las paredes de la sala.
I prefer the matte paint for the living room walls.
Su piel tenía un tono mate y uniforme.
Her skin had a dull (matte) and even tone.
Agreement
As an adjective, 'mate' must match the noun it describes in gender and number (e.g., 'pintura mate', 'tonos mates').
Apartment vs. Flat vs. Terrain
Related Translations
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