Inklingo

How to Say "mansion" in Spanish

English → Spanish

mansión

nounB1general
Use 'mansión' for any large, luxurious private house, especially one that is a primary residence.

Examples

Compraron una mansión antigua con vistas al mar.

They bought an old mansion with sea views.

palacio

pah-LAH-see-oh/paˈlaθjo/

nounA1formal
Use 'palacio' for a very large, stately home that often implies public or official use, like a government building or a royal residence, rather than a private dwelling.
A majestic, brightly colored palace featuring multiple spires, turrets, and a prominent central entrance.

Examples

El presidente trabaja en el palacio de gobierno.

The president works in the government palace (or building).

El Palacio Real de Madrid es una atracción turística popular.

The Royal Palace of Madrid is a popular tourist attraction.

Dicen que la familia construyó un palacio con todo su dinero.

They say the family built a mansion with all their money.

Gender Rule

Remember that 'palacio' is always masculine, so you must use 'el' or 'un' before it: 'el palacio'.

Confusing Gender

Mistake: “La palacio.”

Correction: El palacio. Although many words ending in '-o' are masculine, it's always good to confirm, but this one follows the standard pattern.

villa

VEE-yah/ˈbiʎa/

nounB1general
Use 'villa' specifically for a vacation home, a country estate, or a large house in a resort area, often implying a secondary or holiday residence.
A depiction of a large, luxurious Mediterranean-style estate with a red-tiled roof and surrounding manicured gardens.

Examples

Alquilamos una villa con piscina privada para nuestras vacaciones.

We rented a villa with a private pool for our vacation.

La villa tiene vistas espectaculares al mar.

The villa has spectacular views of the sea.

Compraron una antigua villa romana y la restauraron.

They bought an old Roman villa (estate) and restored it.

Distinguishing Meanings

Context is key! If you are talking about renting a place for a week, it probably means 'luxury house.' If you are talking about governance or history, it means 'town.'

Distinguishing 'Mansión' from 'Palacio'

Learners often confuse 'mansión' and 'palacio'. Remember that 'mansión' refers to a grand private residence, while 'palacio' often implies a building of state or historical significance, like a government building or royal residence, not typically a private home.

Related Translations

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