Inklingo

How to Say "hallway" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “hallway” is “pasillo” — use 'pasillo' for a general, common hallway that connects rooms within a building, often a narrow passage.

English → Spanish

pasillo

pah-SEE-yopaˈsiʝo

nounA1general
Use 'pasillo' for a general, common hallway that connects rooms within a building, often a narrow passage.
A simple, empty hallway inside a building, featuring several closed doors lining one wall and a light source at the far end.

Examples

Dejé mis zapatos en el pasillo antes de entrar.

I left my shoes in the hallway before coming in.

El pasillo de este hotel es muy largo y tiene muchas puertas.

The corridor in this hotel is very long and has many doors.

Masculine Noun Rule

Remember that 'pasillo' is a masculine word, so you must always use the masculine articles 'el' (the) or 'un' (a) before it.

Mixing up Gender

Mistake: “La pasillo está limpio.”

Correction: El pasillo está limpio. (Because 'pasillo' is masculine, we use 'el'.)

corredor

koh-rreh-DORko.reˈðoɾ

nounA2general
Use 'corredor' for a longer, more expansive passage or corridor, especially one that leads to multiple rooms or areas.
A long, brightly lit interior passage in a building with wooden floorboards and several identical closed doors lining the white walls.

Examples

Necesitamos pintar el largo corredor que lleva a las habitaciones.

We need to paint the long hallway that leads to the bedrooms.

Los niños no deben correr en el corredor de la escuela.

Children should not run in the school corridor.

Invariable Gender

When referring to the physical passage, 'corredor' is always masculine, regardless of the size or type of building.

pasaje

pah-SAH-hehpaˈsa.xe

nounB1general
Use 'pasaje' for an interior corridor, often implying a passage that might be less public or even slightly enclosed, sometimes used for 'alleyway' in an outdoor context.
A view down a long, narrow, empty corridor with colorful walls, illustrating a passageway.

Examples

El pasaje detrás del edificio es muy oscuro.

The alleyway behind the building is very dark.

Para ir al baño, tienes que cruzar este pasaje.

To go to the bathroom, you have to cross this passageway.

Physical Space

This meaning relates to the noun's root: 'the act of passing through.' Think of it as a physical route designed for movement.

distribuidor

dees-tree-bwee-DORdistriβwiˈðor

nounB2general
Use 'distribuidor' specifically for a landing or small open area at the intersection of hallways or staircases, from which several rooms branch off.
A bright central landing in a house with several wooden doors leading into different rooms.

Examples

El distribuidor del primer piso es muy oscuro y necesita una lámpara.

The first-floor hallway is very dark and needs a lamp.

Las puertas de todos los dormitorios dan al distribuidor.

All the bedroom doors open onto the landing.

Colocamos un espejo grande en el distribuidor para dar sensación de amplitud.

We placed a large mirror in the foyer to make it feel more spacious.

Descriptive Nouns

Even though it looks like a person word, in architecture, it describes the 'function' of the space—it 'distributes' people into different rooms.

Pasillo vs. Corredor

Learners often confuse 'pasillo' and 'corredor'. 'Pasillo' is the most general and common term for any connecting hallway, especially a narrower one. 'Corredor' implies a longer, more substantial passage. When in doubt for a standard indoor hallway, 'pasillo' is usually the safest bet.

Related Translations

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