Vocabulary Guide to Architecture in Spanish

What does the phrase “architecture in Spanish” bring to mind? you might think of a quaint colonial town with cobblestone streets.

Architecture is both beautiful and fascinating! It makes for an ideal topic if you’re interested in buildings, design, and la arquitectura. 

Keep reading to expand your Spanish vocabulary with this layperson’s guide to architecture in Spanish! 

What is Architecture?

La arquitectura—architecture in Spanish—is the process of planning, designing, and constructing buildings. Architecture is an art, and ancient architecture survives from the Egyptians, Mayans, and Aztecs.

The term arquitectura comes from the Greek “arkhitekton,” which translates to chief or creator. Since prehistoric times, architecture has been a method of cultural and religious expression. 

A Vocabulary Guide to Architecture in Spanish 

Architecture in Spanish vocabulary encompasses all the elements of this amazing field. 

I broke down this vocabulary guide into different sections that relate to architecture in some way or another.

Construction Trades (Oficios en construcción)

La arquitectura has to do with building, planning, and designing homes, buildings, cities, and monuments! 

Here’s a brief vocabulary list on some of the trades in the architectural field: 

Architecture Verbs

Here are a few action words that relate to architecture in Spanish: 

Example Sentences in Spanish

El arquitecto es el que diseña los planos para el edificio.
The architect is the one that designed the blueprints for the building.

El jefe de obra dirige a los albañiles.
The site manager directs the brickmasons.

Los trabajadores de obra deben tomar medidas del área donde se llevará a cabo la obra.
The construction workers have to take measurements of the area where the work will take place.

Types of Architecture (Tipos de arquitectura)

Like any trade, architecture is divided into types. While all of them are used to plan and design something that must be built, the elements and tools which the professionals work with may be different.

Architectural Movements in Latin America (Movimientos arquitectónicos en Latinoamérica)

While architecture has a practical use, it is also a form of art and expression. The architecture in Spanish-speaking countries is rich. It has a connection with the country’s culture, history, and politics. 

Check out these architectural movements in Latin America:

Here are photos of some of the most amazing architectural pieces in Latin America using some of these movements.

Central Library of the UNAM in Mexico City(Biblioteca Central de la UNAM en Mexico)

Miguel Angel Asturias National Theater in Guatemala (Teatro Nacional Miguel Ángel Asturias en Guatemala) 

Casa Gilardi in Mexico (Casa Gilardi en México) 

Park Library Spain in Colombia (Parque Biblioteca España en Colombia)

Parts of an Architectural Construction (Partes de una construcción arquitectónica)

When discussing architectural designs, you’ll probably need to refer to elements of buildings. For that reason, here is a brief vocabulary list. Use it to learn how to name all the key elements of an architectural construction in Spanish:

Construction Materials (Materiales de construcción)

When talking about architecture in Spanish, it is common to mention the materials that were used on the construction:

Example Sentences in Spanish

Las casas de esta área están construidas con adobe.
The houses of this area are built with adobe.

Mucha gente de latino américa utilizan láminas para construir el techo de las casas.
A lot of people in Latin America use aluminum sheets to build the ceiling of their houses. 

Este hotel es popular por sus paredes de vidrio.
This hotel is popular for its glass walls. 

Construction Tools and Machines (Herramientas y máquinas de construcción)

Architects, engineers, and builders use tools and machines to do their work and make amazing and breathtaking architectural designs. Check the vocabulary below to learn about them:

See also: Most Comprehensive List of Tools in Spanish.

Build Your Future with Spanish

If you are interested in learning Spanish, not only to expand your world and your knowledge of other cultures and languages, you might be interested in some of the benefits it can bring to your life! 

According to a study conducted by The Economist, you can earn anywhere from $50,000 to $125,000 extra just by knowing a foreign language alone, and interpreters and translators are among the top five fastest-growing occupations, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, which means there is an opportunity of growing in that laboral area of about 46% in the next 10 years! 

Learning Spanish is a great opportunity for personal and professional growth, and if you speak it fluently, the chance of getting a job in a Spanish-speaking country increases immensely! So, what are you waiting for? Sign up today for a free trial class with one of our certified, native-speaking Spanish teachers at Homeschool Spanish Academy and begin this journey to building your bilingual future! 

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Carmen Rizzo

Freelance Writer at Homeschool Spanish Academy

I’m a native Spanish speaker from Guatemala with a B.A. in Psychology. I have a passion for teaching Sunday school in my spare time and for learning and sharing valuable information. I'm a cat lover who gets excited over cartoons, anime, and video games. I dabble in digital illustration and animation. I'm inspired by sharing my culture, traditions, food, and beliefs with others, while learning about theirs in return.

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