What is the difference between "historias", "cuentos", "novelas", "pisos" in Spanish?

The English word 'stories' can be translated into Spanish in several ways, depending on the context. While some translations refer to narrative tales, others might mean levels of a building or even social media updates.

How to Say "stories" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “stories” is “historias” — use 'historias' for general narratives, tales, or accounts of events, and also specifically for social media features like Instagram Stories..

historias🔊A1

Use 'historias' for general narratives, tales, or accounts of events, and also specifically for social media features like Instagram Stories.

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cuentos🔊A1

Use 'cuentos' specifically for short fictional narratives, like fairy tales or bedtime stories.

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novelas🔊A1

Use 'novelas' when referring to long, complex narratives, typically published books, similar to English 'novels'.

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pisos🔊A2

Use 'pisos' only when referring to the levels or floors of a building.

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English → Spanish

historias

ees-TOH-ryahs/isˈtoɾjas/

nounA1general

Use 'historias' for general narratives, tales, or accounts of events, and also specifically for social media features like Instagram Stories.

A child sitting and reading a book, with small, imaginary story characters floating out of the open pages.

Examples

Me encantan las historias de aventuras.

I love adventure stories.

Leemos muchas historias de fantasía antes de dormir.

We read many fantasy stories before bed.

Las historias de mis abuelos son fascinantes; vivieron muchos cambios.

My grandparents' stories are fascinating; they lived through many changes.

Hay muchas historias diferentes sobre cómo empezó la guerra civil.

There are many different accounts about how the civil war started.

Feminine Plural Agreement

Since 'historias' is feminine and plural, any words describing it must also be feminine and plural (e.g., 'historias interesantes,' not 'interesantes historias').

Use with 'Dejar'

The expression 'Déjame de historias' uses the special command form of 'dejar' (to leave/stop) to tell someone to cut the drama.

Using 'Historias' for the Subject History

Mistake: “Me gusta estudiar historias. (I like studying histories.)”

Correction: Me gusta estudiar historia. (I like studying history [the academic subject].) Only use 'historias' if you mean multiple individual narratives.

See full entry for “historias” →

cuentos

KWEHN-tohs/kwe̞n̪.t̪os/

nounA1general

Use 'cuentos' specifically for short fictional narratives, like fairy tales or bedtime stories.

A colorful, open storybook resting on a surface, showing simple illustrations of a castle and a friendly dragon emerging from the pages.

Examples

Los niños pidieron que les leyera cuentos antes de dormir.

The children asked me to read them stories before bed.

Mi abuela siempre nos leía cuentos antes de dormir.

My grandmother always read us stories before bed.

Hay muchos cuentos populares sobre dragones en esta región.

There are many popular tales about dragons in this region.

Masculine Plural

Since the singular noun 'cuento' ends in -o, it is masculine. The plural 'cuentos' is used with masculine plural articles like 'los' or adjectives like 'muchos'.

See full entry for “cuentos” →

novelas

/no-VE-las//noˈβelas/

nounA1general

Use 'novelas' when referring to long, complex narratives, typically published books, similar to English 'novels'.

A stack of thick colorful hardcover books on a wooden table.

Examples

Prefiero leer novelas históricas que documentales.

I prefer to read historical novels over documentaries.

Me gusta leer novelas de misterio antes de dormir.

I like to read mystery novels before going to sleep.

Estas novelas son muy famosas en todo el mundo.

These novels are very famous all over the world.

Making it Feminine

Since 'novelas' is a feminine word, you must use feminine helpers like 'las' or 'unas' (las novelas / unas novelas).

Matching Adjectives

Any word describing 'novelas' must also end in 'as'. For example: 'novelas cortas' (short novels).

Gender Error

Mistake: “los novelas”

Correction: las novelas (because the word is feminine).

See full entry for “novelas” →

pisos

/pee-sos//ˈpisos/

nounA2general

Use 'pisos' only when referring to the levels or floors of a building.

A simplified cross-section view of a three-story building, showing the distinct horizontal levels or floors separated by thick lines.

Examples

Vivimos en los pisos más altos del edificio.

We live on the top floors of the building.

Subimos por las escaleras hasta los últimos pisos.

We went up the stairs to the top floors.

Hay que limpiar todos los pisos de la casa antes de la fiesta.

We have to clean all the floors of the house before the party.

Counting Levels

When counting the levels of a building, 'pisos' (or the singular 'piso') is the standard word across all Spanish-speaking regions. Remember that the ground floor is usually called 'la planta baja'.

See full entry for “pisos” →

Narratives vs. Building Levels

The most common mistake is confusing narrative 'stories' with the meaning of 'floors' or 'levels' of a building. Remember that 'historias', 'cuentos', and 'novelas' all refer to tales or narratives, while 'pisos' is exclusively for building levels.

Related Translations

accounts→apartments→drama→dramas→excuses→flats→floors→ground surfaces→

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