Types of Houses and Dwellings in Spanish
Types of houses in Spanish vary in design according to location.
The real estate market offers several interesting possibilities to those who are looking to rent, lease or purchase a new home.
If you’re planning on relocating to a Spanish-speaking country temporarily or permanently, learning the different types of houses in Spanish will make house-hunting an easy task for you.
Keep reading for an explanatory and fun guide to the different dwellings and types of houses in Spanish.
Dwellings in Spanish-speaking Countries
The types of houses in Spanish-speaking countries are often built following design and construction standards that match their location.
Architects and engineers consider the climate, geography, and obviously the interests of the person who’ll live there to guarantee it’ll feel like home.
What house you choose depends on how many people will live there, if you have pets, if you need a parking space, the location, and more!
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Houses come in all shapes, sizes, and with different amenities. Let’s take a look at the different types of houses in Spanish.
Apartment (Apartamento)
Un apartamento is a horizontal housing unit inside a building with several floors. Apartments come in different sizes and are a more practical option for small families, singles, or couples.
The style of apartments usually varies according to the location and market prices. Some apartments are pretty much everything you’ll find in a normal house.
There are even terraces and gardens! Apartment buildings have extra amenities like a gym, playgrounds, grills, small shops, and small restaurants. The majority of apartments are in urban areas.
Studio Apartment (Estudio)
Los estudios are apartments where the kitchen, living room, dining area, and bedroom share a single space. The only separations in studios are usually bathrooms.
Studio apartments are highly affordable depending on location. They’re an excellent alternative for students and for those people who are living on their own for the first time. You can find them around schools, universities, and trendy urban neighborhoods.
Loft (Loft)
A loft is a type of dwelling that is made of one large space with few divided spaces. Lofts are open and well-illuminated spaces. They are two stories tall and are often found in buildings around urban areas. On the first floor, you find the kitchen, living room, pantry, and terrace. The bedroom and bathroom are usually on the upper floor.
Out of all the trendy types of houses in Spanish, lofts have a huge demand among millennials and bachelors who live by themselves.
Bed and Breakfast (Hostal)
A hostal is a type of dwelling made of several units. Each unit has a single bedroom and bathroom. There’s also a shared kitchen for other guests or tenants. Some people live in posadas in Spanish-speaking countries and receive a complimentary breakfast.
You can find them in both rural and urban areas. They are highly attractive to exchange students and travelers.
Boarding House (Casa de huéspedes)
Una casa de huéspedes is a large house that rents rooms and includes some meals. You can find them close to tourist destinations and in residential areas as an option for travelers passing by.
Bungalow (Bungalow)
Un bungalow is a one-story house with a porch and without a basement. The word bungalow in Spanish is also used to refer to single-floor vacation homes. You can find them both in rural and urban areas.
Cabin or Cottage (Cabaña)
Una cabaña is a country house typically found in rural areas. They’re usually made of wood and have only essentials for a getaway.
Chalet (Chalé, chalet)
Un chalet is a type of detached house that has rooms in the attic. In Latin America, people use the term chalet for the country and beach houses.
Country House (Casa de campo)
Las casas de campo are any type of vacation home located outside the city. Whether it’s at the beach, mountains, or small villages; any casa de campo represents a getaway opportunity.
Many country houses have all the essentials and extra outdoor areas like a grill, pool, playgrounds, jacuzzi, trampoline, and a garden.
Cul-de-sac Tenement (Casa de callejón)
Cul-de-sac translates into Spanish as callejón sin salida and it actually means the street is closed.
You usually find this type of dwelling in urban, small, and lower-income neighborhoods. This type of house in Spanish is usually one floor, small, at the end of a closed street or alley.
Duplex (Dúplex)
Un dúplex is a two-story dwelling with two fully-equipped houses on each floor. You can find them both in rural and urban areas. There’s often one tenant on one floor and another one on the second. A duplex usually shares the entryway and parking.
Flat (Piso)
The word piso is widely used in Europe, specifically in Spain.
Un piso is a type of dwelling with separated environments. A flat is usually located in urban areas.
People who live in pisos see their neighbors very often as most of them don’t have a car and move around using public transportation. The majority of pisos have the essentials within walking distance. Pisos are easy to maintain and remodel.
Penthouse (Penthouse)
El ático or penthouse is an apartment located on the top floor of a building. The majority of penthouses are in urban areas and are expensive.
The advantage of living in a penthouse is that you don’t have any neighbors. There’s more privacy than in other types of houses in Spanish. Penthouses have amazing views and often include a terrace.
Detached Dwelling (Casa aislada)
Una casa aislada is a type of house that is independent of others. You don’t have immediate neighbors, or if you do, you’re separated by large yards, driveways, and fencing.
Many of these types of houses in Spanish are located inside gated communities in the suburbs. The maintenance is more demanding and the utilities can be more expensive.
Farmhouse (Casa de granja)
Una casa de granja is a house that belongs to a farm owner. It’s the main residence on the farm. In Latin America, las granjas are located in rural areas and have a classic design. Some of them are very ancient and date back to colonial times.
Guest House (Casa de huéspedes)
Una casa de huéspedes is a house that offers private accommodations for a price, it’s similar to a boarding house. The term casa de huespedes also applies to large fancy houses that have another fully equipped smaller house for visitors.
Housing complex (Condominio)
Un condominio is a residential complex that is usually gated and has similar dwellings. These types of houses in Spanish are designed and built by real estate developers. They are perfect for families because they offer recreation spaces. Condominios are located in both rural and urban areas.
Ranch (Rancho)
Un rancho is a rural property and dwelling surrounded by fields, livestock, and productive areas. The word rancho is often used in Mexico interchangeably with the word quinta.
In Guatemala, the word rancho is used to refer to a thatch roof house on the coast or beach. In Mexico, these are called palapas.
Estate (Finca)
Una finca is a large property in rural areas that is fenced. Fincas are highly productive and thrive thanks to surrounding crops. Fincas in Latin America usually have multiple families who work there living inside.
Hut (Choza)
Una choza is a small house with a thatch or palm roof. They’re made of hay, branches, and not-so-sturdy materials. Some of these types of houses in Spanish are very humble and are found in rural areas.
Townhouse (Casa adosada)
Una casa adosada is a type of housing that is located in a gated community. Townhouses are one next to the other, only divided by walls, and have the exact same design. If you live in a casa adosada you know your neighbors. There’s often more noise and there are shared recreation areas.
Shelter (Albergue)
Un albergue is a temporary type of dwelling.
Shelters are meant to protect people from natural disasters or danger. They offer living accommodations to people in need without separate rooms. Shelters have sleeping arrangements in one large space, shared bathrooms, and cafeterias, or soup kitchens.
In Spanish-speaking countries, you find them in both urban and rural areas. In the case of an emergency, different buildings are transformed into shelters.
Discover more about houses, buildings, and construction with this amusing Vocabulary Guide to Architecture in Spanish.
Talking About the Types of Houses in Spanish
It’s highly important for homeowners to ask as many questions as they need. Some types of housing have disadvantages that are easy to spot; while others require further observation and research.
Renting, buying, and building a house can be challenging, especially in a foreign language. There are several things you must consider in the process. Maintaining open communication with the landlord, developer, architect, and builders is highly important to avoid any confusion or scam.
It’s also important for any Spanish speaker to be able to identify and describe their residence. It can be helpful for asking for directions and for inviting people over.
Use this practical list of housing vocabulary and phrases to start a conversation about the types of houses in Spanish.
Types of Houses in Spanish Vocabulary Part 1
| English | Spanish |
| apartment building | el edificio de apartamentos |
| apartment tower | la torre de apartamentos |
| architect | el arquitecto, la arquitecta |
| backyard | el patio trasero |
| basement | el sótano |
| bathroom | el baño |
| beams | los postes |
| block of flats | el bloque de pisos |
| caretaker | el cuidador, el guardián |
| deck | la plataforma |
| decoration | la decoración |
| doors | las puertas |
| driveway | la entrada de carros, la entrada de coches |
| elevator | el elevador, el ascensor |
| fence | la reja, la cerca |
Types of Houses in Spanish Vocabulary Part 2
| English | Spanish |
| fire escape | la salida de incendios |
| floor | el suelo |
| front yard | el patio delantero |
| garage | la cochera |
| gate | el portón |
| gazebo | el kiosko |
| grill | la parrilla, la churrasquera |
| gym | el gimnasio |
| hallway | el pasillo |
| interior designer | el diseñador de interiores |
| landlord | el propietario, el casero |
| lighting | la iluminación |
| living room | la sala |
| lobby | el vestíbulo, la recepción |
| location | la ubicación |
| to move in | mudarse |
| mortgage | la hipoteca |
Types of Houses in Spanish Vocabulary Part 3
| English | Spanish |
| neighbor | el vecino, la vecina |
| neighborhood | el vecindario, el barrio |
| parking | el estacionamiento, el parqueo |
| pet-friendly | amigable para mascotas |
| playground | el campo de juegos, el área de juegos |
| pool | la piscina |
| roof | el techo |
| room | el cuarto, la habitación |
| security | la seguridad |
Types of Houses in Spanish Vocabulary Part 4
| English | Spanish |
| stairs | las escaleras, las gradas |
| terrace | la terraza, el balcón |
| tenant | la inquilina, el inquilino |
| tiles | la loza, el azulejo |
| to rent a house, to lease a house | rentar una casa |
| to buy a house | comprar una casa |
| utilities | las utilidades |
| ventilation | la ventilación |
| walls | las paredes |
| windows | las ventanas |
Phrases About The Types of Houses in Spanish
¿Dónde está ubicada la casa?
Where is the house located?
¿Cuántos cuartos tiene la casa?
How many rooms are in the house?
¿Para cuántas personas es la casa?
For how many people is the house for?
¿Cuánto es la renta?
How much is the rent?
¿Necesito firmar un contrato?
Do I need to sign a contract?
¿Cuándo construyeron la casa?
When was the house built?
¿Cuánto cuesta la casa?
How much is the house?
¿Cuándo puedo mudarme?
When can I move in?
¿Hay estacionamiento en la casa?
Is there parking in the house?
¿La zona es segura?
Is the area safe?
¿Cuántas plantas tiene la casa?
How many floors are in the house?
¿El apartamento es grande?
Is the apartment big?
¿La renta incluye utilidades?
Does the rent include utilities?
¿La casa es nueva?
Is the house new?
¿Hay vecinos en la casa de al lado?
Are there neighbors in the house next door?
¿La casa tiene… (piscina, gimnasio, cochera, terraza)?
Does the house have a… (pool, gym, garage, terrace)?
Mi apartamento es muy espacioso.
My apartment is spacious.
Mi piso es compartido, tengo compañeros.
My flat is shared, I have roommates.
Mi loft es muy cómodo y céntrico.
My loft is very comfortable and centric.
Alquilé una casa de campo para el verano.
I rented a country house for summer.
Mi casa tiene paredes blancas y techo rojo.
My house has white walls and a red roof.
Mi edificio de apartamentos no tiene ascensor.
My apartment building doesn’t have an elevator.
¿Dónde queda tu casa?
Where is your house?
Prefiero vivir en una casa adosada con mi familiar.
I prefer living in a townhouse with my family.
La dirección de mi casa es…
My home address is…
El penthouse de mi amiga es impresionante.
My friend’s penthouse is impressive.
Complement this lesson with this blog post on Extensive House and Furniture Vocabulary.
Find Your Ideal House in Spanish
Take your language and house hunting game to the next level with more inspirational types of houses in Spanish phrases. Sign up for a free class with our certified teachers from Guatemala.
Conversing with a native speaker is essential for achieving fluency and engaging in Spanish conversation. Our teachers will support you with more useful phrases, vocabulary, and concepts.
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