Inklingo

How to Say "seat" in Spanish

English → Spanish

asiento

ah-SYEN-toh/aˈsjento/

nounA1general
Use 'asiento' for a general place to sit, like a seat on a bus, train, or in a theater.
A brightly colored, simple wooden chair with four legs and a backrest, sitting alone in a bright room.

Examples

¿Puedes guardar mi asiento por favor? Voy al baño.

Can you save my seat please? I’m going to the bathroom.

Todos los asientos del autobús estaban ocupados.

All the seats on the bus were taken.

Este asiento es muy cómodo, pero está un poco sucio.

This chair is very comfortable, but it is a bit dirty.

Gender Check

Since 'asiento' ends in -o, it is masculine. Use 'el asiento' or 'un asiento'.

silla

/see-yah//ˈsiʝa/

nounA1general
Use 'silla' when referring to a chair, a piece of furniture you sit on, especially when you are offering one to someone.
A simple, empty wooden chair with a high back, standing alone on a flat surface.

Examples

Por favor, toma una silla y siéntate.

Please, grab a chair and sit down.

Compramos seis sillas nuevas para el comedor.

We bought six new chairs for the dining room.

Necesito una silla más ergonómica para trabajar todo el día.

I need a more ergonomic chair to work all day.

Feminine Noun

Remember that 'silla' is always feminine. Use 'la' before it, and if you use an adjective, it must end in '-a' (e.g., 'la silla roja', the red chair).

Using the wrong size word

Mistake: “Using 'sillón' when you mean a standard 'chair'.”

Correction: 'Sillón' means a large, comfy armchair. 'Silla' is the standard four-legged chair you sit on at a table.

lugar

/loo-GAR//luˈɡaɾ/

nounA2general
Use 'lugar' to talk about an available spot or space, often implying whether there is room for someone to sit.
A person trying to fit one more bag into a car that is already completely full, illustrating the concept of available space.

Examples

¿Hay lugar para una persona más en el coche?

Is there room for one more person in the car?

Hazme un lugar en el sofá, por favor.

Make some room for me on the sofa, please.

No tengo lugar en mi agenda esta semana.

I don't have space/room in my schedule this week.

sillón

/see-YOHN//siˈʝon/

nounA1general
Use 'sillón' specifically for an armchair, a large, comfortable chair, often used for relaxing.
A cozy, plush green armchair with thick armrests and a soft cushion.

Examples

Mi abuelo siempre duerme la siesta en el sillón.

My grandfather always takes a nap in the armchair.

Compramos un sillón de cuero para la sala.

We bought a leather armchair for the living room.

El escritor ocupa un sillón en la Real Academia.

The writer holds a seat in the Royal Academy.

The 'Big' Ending

The ending '-ón' is often added to words to make them bigger. Since a 'silla' is a chair, a 'sillón' is literally a 'big chair' or armchair.

Gender Clue

Words ending in '-ón' are almost always masculine, so you should use 'el' or 'un' with them.

Sillón vs. Sofá

Mistake: “Using 'sillón' for a couch.”

Correction: Use 'sillón' for a seat for one person; use 'sofá' for a seat that fits two or more people.

sede

/SAY-day//ˈseðe/

nounB1formal
Use 'sede' to refer to the headquarters or central office of an organization, company, or government.
A large, modern building with many glass windows and a prominent entrance, standing as a central hub in a clean city environment.

Examples

La sede principal de la empresa está en Madrid.

The company's main headquarters is in Madrid.

Ginebra es la sede de muchas organizaciones internacionales.

Geneva is the seat of many international organizations.

Gender Alert

Even though it ends in 'e', this word is feminine. Always use 'la' or 'una' with it.

Don't confuse with 'sed'

Mistake: “Tengo sede.”

Correction: Tengo sed.

Asiento vs. Silla

The most common confusion is between 'asiento' and 'silla'. Remember that 'asiento' refers to the allocated place or spot to sit (like on public transport or in a theater), while 'silla' is the physical piece of furniture, the chair itself.

Related Translations

Learn Spanish with Inklingo

Interactive stories, personalized learning, and more.