Inklingo

How to Say "story" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “story” is “historia” — use 'historia' for a general narrative or tale, whether it's a true account, a fictional story, or even a lie.

historia🔊A2

Use 'historia' for a general narrative or tale, whether it's a true account, a fictional story, or even a lie.

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cuento🔊A1

Choose 'cuento' specifically for a short, fictional narrative, often aimed at children.

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relato🔊A2

Use 'relato' for a brief account or narrative, often a personal experience or a short piece of writing.

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anécdotaA2

Use 'anécdota' for a short, interesting or amusing story about a real incident or person, typically a personal experience.

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piso🔊A2

Use 'piso' to refer to a level or floor of a building, especially in Spain.

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planta🔊A2

Use 'planta' to refer to a level or floor of a building, often used in Latin America and sometimes in Spain.

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invenciónB2

Use 'invención' when 'story' implies a fabrication, a lie, or something made up entirely.

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English → Spanish

historia

is-TO-ryaisˈto.ɾja

nounA2general
Use 'historia' for a general narrative or tale, whether it's a true account, a fictional story, or even a lie.
A parent reading an imaginative storybook to a child, with fantasy elements appearing around them.

Examples

Me encanta leer una buena historia antes de dormir.

I love reading a good story before sleeping.

¿Me cuentas una historia para dormir?

Can you tell me a story to go to sleep?

La película cuenta la historia de un amor imposible.

The movie tells the story of an impossible love.

¡Qué buena historia! ¿Es de verdad?

What a great story! Is it true?

'Historia' vs. 'Cuento'

Mistake: “Using 'cuento' for a true story or 'historia' for a fairy tale.”

Correction: 'Historia' can be a true story (like your life story) or a fictional one. 'Cuento' almost always means a fictional story, like a fairy tale ('cuento de hadas') or a short story.

cuento

KWEN-tohˈkwen̪.t̪o

nounA1general
Choose 'cuento' specifically for a short, fictional narrative, often aimed at children.
A small child listening intently to an adult reading from an open storybook, with imaginative elements like stars floating above the book.

Examples

Mamá, ¿me lees un cuento?

Mom, will you read me a story?

¿Leemos un cuento antes de acostarnos?

Shall we read a story before going to bed?

Mi abuela siempre me contaba cuentos de hadas.

My grandmother always used to tell me fairy tales.

Este escritor es famoso por sus cuentos cortos.

This writer is famous for his short stories.

Masculine Noun

Even though 'historia' (story) is feminine, 'cuento' is always a masculine noun. Use 'el cuento' or 'un cuento'.

relato

re-LAH-tohreˈlato

nounA2general
Use 'relato' for a brief account or narrative, often a personal experience or a short piece of writing.
A colorful open book with magical sparkles rising from the pages.

Examples

Escribí un relato corto sobre mi viaje a México.

I wrote a short story about my trip to Mexico.

Escribí un relato sobre mis vacaciones.

I wrote a story about my vacation.

El testigo dio un relato detallado del accidente.

The witness gave a detailed account of the accident.

Me encantan los relatos de misterio.

I love mystery stories.

Gender of 'Relato'

This word is masculine, so you always use 'el' or 'un' with it. For example, 'el relato' (the story).

'Relato' vs. 'Historia'

While both can mean 'story,' a 'relato' is usually a shorter, more specific piece of writing or a specific person's version of an event.

Using 'Relato' for Business Reports

Mistake: “Hice un relato para mi jefe.”

Correction: Hice un informe para mi jefe.

anécdota

nounA2general
Use 'anécdota' for a short, interesting or amusing story about a real incident or person, typically a personal experience.

Examples

Mi abuela me contó una anécdota divertida de su infancia.

My grandmother told me a funny anecdote from her childhood.

piso

pee-soˈpiso

nounA2general
Use 'piso' to refer to a level or floor of a building, especially in Spain.
A vertical cross-section illustration of a small building, clearly showing three distinct horizontal levels stacked upon each other.

Examples

Vivo en el tercer piso de este edificio.

I live on the third floor of this building.

La oficina del jefe está en el quinto piso.

The boss's office is on the fifth floor.

Vivimos en un edificio de diez pisos.

We live in a ten-story building.

Ordinal Numbers

To say which floor, you often use numbers that show order, like 'primero' (first), 'segundo' (second), 'tercero' (third), etc.

First Floor Confusion

Mistake: “Assuming 'primer piso' is the ground floor.”

Correction: In Spain and many other places, the ground floor is 'la planta baja'. 'El primer piso' is the floor *above* the ground floor (like the 'first floor' in British English or the 'second floor' in American English).

planta

PLAN-tahˈplan.ta

nounA2general
Use 'planta' to refer to a level or floor of a building, often used in Latin America and sometimes in Spain.
A simplified cross-section view of a building showing two distinct horizontal levels or stories.

Examples

La biblioteca está en la primera planta.

The library is on the first floor.

La sala de conferencias está en la quinta planta.

The conference room is on the fifth floor.

Vamos a subir a la planta de arriba por las escaleras.

We are going up to the floor above using the stairs.

Counting Floors

In Spain and many parts of Latin America, 'planta baja' is the ground level. The floor immediately above that is the 'primera planta' (first floor).

Confusing 'Planta' and 'Piso'

Mistake: “Using 'piso' to mean the story of a building when 'planta' is more common in that context, especially in Spain.”

Correction: While 'piso' works, 'planta' specifically refers to the level. 'Piso' often means the apartment itself.

invención

nounB2general
Use 'invención' when 'story' implies a fabrication, a lie, or something made up entirely.

Examples

Lo que dijo sobre el incidente fue una completa invención.

What he said about the incident was a complete fabrication.

Narrative vs. Floor vs. Fabrication

Learners often confuse 'historia', 'cuento', and 'relato' for general narratives. Remember 'cuento' is usually short and fictional, 'relato' is a brief account, and 'historia' is the broadest term. Also, be aware that 'piso' and 'planta' mean 'floor' of a building, not a narrative story.

Related Translations

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