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How to Say "landing" in Spanish

English → Spanish

aterrizaje

a-teh-rree-SAH-hehateɾiˈsahe

nounB1
Use 'aterrizaje' when referring to the act of an aircraft, helicopter, or spacecraft touching down on the ground.
A simple, colorful storybook illustration showing a large commercial airplane touching down on a long runway, illustrating the moment the aircraft reaches the ground.

Examples

El piloto anunció que el aterrizaje sería en diez minutos.

The pilot announced that the landing would be in ten minutes.

La pista de aterrizaje estaba cubierta de nieve, lo que causó retrasos.

The landing strip was covered in snow, which caused delays.

Tuvieron que realizar un aterrizaje de emergencia por fallas técnicas.

They had to carry out an emergency landing due to technical failures.

Gender Rule

As a masculine noun, 'aterrizaje' always uses the article 'el' (el aterrizaje) and requires masculine adjectives (un aterrizaje perfecto).

Confusing the Verb and Noun

Mistake: “Using 'aterrizar' when referring to the event: 'El aterrizar fue difícil.'”

Correction: Use the noun 'aterrizaje': 'El aterrizaje fue difícil.' (The landing was difficult.)

descanso

des-CAN-sodesˈkanso

nounB2
Use 'descanso' for the flat area or platform part of a staircase, typically found between flights of stairs.
A brightly colored wooden staircase featuring a wide, flat landing area between the lower and upper steps.

Examples

Dejamos la caja grande en el descanso antes de subir al segundo piso.

We left the large box on the landing before going up to the second floor.

El sendero tiene un pequeño descanso natural donde los excursionistas se detienen.

The path has a small natural resting point where hikers stop.

Technical Vocabulary

This meaning is specific to construction or geography. When speaking generally, most people use the more common synonym 'rellano' for a staircase platform.

distribuidor

dees-tree-bwee-DORdistriβwiˈðor

nounB2
Use 'distribuidor' to describe the area at the top of stairs that connects to different rooms or hallways.
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.

Confusing Staircase Areas

The most common mistake is using 'aterrizaje' when referring to a physical space in a building. Remember that 'descanso' specifically means the step or platform on a staircase, while 'distribuidor' refers to the connecting hallway area at the top of the stairs.

Related Translations

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