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How to Say "space" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “space” is “espacio” — use 'espacio' for a general physical area, room, or the vastness of outer space and the universe.

English → Spanish

espacio

es-PA-syoesˈpa.sjo

NounA1General
Use 'espacio' for a general physical area, room, or the vastness of outer space and the universe.
A small car trunk stuffed full of colorful suitcases, with one extra blue suitcase sitting on the ground beside the car, showing there is no room left.

Examples

El coche tiene mucho espacio para los pasajeros.

The car has a lot of space for the passengers.

No hay espacio en el coche para más maletas.

There's no space/room in the car for more suitcases.

Necesitamos más espacio para la mesa nueva.

We need more space for the new table.

Por favor, haz un poco de espacio para que pueda sentarme.

Please, make a little space so I can sit down.

Always Masculine

Even though it ends in 'o', it's good to remember that 'espacio' is always masculine. So, you'll always say 'el espacio' (the space) or 'un espacio' (a space).

'Space' vs. 'Room'

Mistake: “Quiero reservar un espacio en el hotel.”

Correction: Quiero reservar una habitación en el hotel. Use 'habitación' or 'cuarto' for a room in a building like a hotel or house. 'Espacio' refers to general, open area or capacity.

espacio

es-PA-syoesˈpa.sjo

NounA2General
Use 'espacio' to refer to a blank area on a document, form, or page.
A small car trunk stuffed full of colorful suitcases, with one extra blue suitcase sitting on the ground beside the car, showing there is no room left.

Examples

Deja un espacio aquí para tu firma.

Leave a space here for your signature.

No hay espacio en el coche para más maletas.

There's no space/room in the car for more suitcases.

Necesitamos más espacio para la mesa nueva.

We need more space for the new table.

Por favor, haz un poco de espacio para que pueda sentarme.

Please, make a little space so I can sit down.

Always Masculine

Even though it ends in 'o', it's good to remember that 'espacio' is always masculine. So, you'll always say 'el espacio' (the space) or 'un espacio' (a space).

'Space' vs. 'Room'

Mistake: “Quiero reservar un espacio en el hotel.”

Correction: Quiero reservar una habitación en el hotel. Use 'habitación' or 'cuarto' for a room in a building like a hotel or house. 'Espacio' refers to general, open area or capacity.

espacio

es-PA-syoesˈpa.sjo

NounB1General
Use 'espacio' when referring to a duration of time.
A small car trunk stuffed full of colorful suitcases, with one extra blue suitcase sitting on the ground beside the car, showing there is no room left.

Examples

Terminaremos el proyecto en el espacio de dos semanas.

We will finish the project in the space of two weeks.

No hay espacio en el coche para más maletas.

There's no space/room in the car for more suitcases.

Necesitamos más espacio para la mesa nueva.

We need more space for the new table.

Por favor, haz un poco de espacio para que pueda sentarme.

Please, make a little space so I can sit down.

Always Masculine

Even though it ends in 'o', it's good to remember that 'espacio' is always masculine. So, you'll always say 'el espacio' (the space) or 'un espacio' (a space).

'Space' vs. 'Room'

Mistake: “Quiero reservar un espacio en el hotel.”

Correction: Quiero reservar una habitación en el hotel. Use 'habitación' or 'cuarto' for a room in a building like a hotel or house. 'Espacio' refers to general, open area or capacity.

lugar

loo-GARluˈɡaɾ

NounA2General
Use 'lugar' when asking about or indicating available physical space or room for someone or something.
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 mí en la mesa?

Is there space/room for me at the table?

¿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.

sitio

SEE-tyohˈsitjo

NounB1General
Use 'sitio' similarly to 'lugar' to indicate available physical space or room.
A brightly colored suitcase packed full of clothes, but with one small, clearly delineated, empty rectangular space remaining.

Examples

No queda sitio en el restaurante.

There is no space/room left in the restaurant.

¿Hay sitio para uno más en el coche?

Is there room for one more in the car?

No tengo sitio en mi maleta para más cosas.

I don't have space in my suitcase for more things.

Por favor, hazme un sitio en el sofá.

Please, make room for me on the sofa.

Confusing with 'Habitación'

Mistake: “Using 'habitación' or 'cuarto' to mean 'available space'.”

Correction: 'Habitación' and 'cuarto' mean a physical room in a house (like a bedroom). Use 'sitio' or 'espacio' when you're talking about whether there's enough space for something or someone.

hueco

WAY-kohˈw̝e.ko

NounA2General
Use 'hueco' for a physical gap, hole, or an empty space that needs to be filled.
A small, dark, circular opening in a brown dirt surface.

Examples

Hay un hueco en la cerca por donde se escapó el perro.

There is a gap/hole in the fence through which the dog escaped.

Tapa ese hueco en la pared antes de que entre agua.

Cover that hole in the wall before water gets in.

Dejó un gran hueco en su corazón cuando se fue.

He left a big void (or hole) in her heart when he left.

Gender Agreement

As a masculine noun, 'hueco' uses masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., 'el hueco', 'un hueco grande').

plaza

/plá-sa/ (or /plá-tha/ in Spain)ˈplaθa

NounB1Formal
Use 'plaza' to refer to an available spot, position, or opening, often in a formal or academic context.
An illustration of an empty, well-appointed office chair waiting behind a large wooden desk, symbolizing an open job position or vacancy.

Examples

Consiguió una plaza en la universidad.

He got a place/spot at the university.

Hay una plaza disponible en el departamento de ventas.

There is a position available in the sales department.

¿Cuántas plazas hay para el curso de verano?

How many spots are there for the summer course?

Formal Context

This meaning is often used in formal job listings or university applications, making it sound more serious or official than using 'trabajo' or 'puesto'.

cósmico

AdjectiveB1General
Use 'cósmico' as an adjective to describe things related to outer space or the universe.

Examples

El documental trataba sobre fenómenos cósmicos.

The documentary was about cosmic phenomena.

Espacio vs. Lugar/Sitio

Learners often confuse 'espacio' with 'lugar' and 'sitio'. While 'espacio' can mean general physical area, 'lugar' and 'sitio' are more commonly used when referring specifically to available room for people or things, especially in informal conversation.

Related Translations

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