Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
How to Say Building in Spanish
Edificio · noun · eh-dee-FEE-see-oh
The standard Spanish translation for building as a noun is 'edificio,' referring to a physical structure. For the act of building, 'construcción' or 'obra' are used depending on context.
eh-dee-FEE-see-oh
El edificio tiene veinte pisos.
The building has twenty floors.
Building in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for building, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| edificio | building | eh-dee-FEE-see-oh | Default, widely understood |
| construcción | building | Universal (the building process or a structure under construction) | |
| inmueble | building | Universal (formal/legal term for a property) | |
| obra | building | Universal (building site or construction work) |
How Native Speakers Use Edificio
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Describing a structure
Ese edificio antiguo fue construido en 1920.
That old building was built in 1920.
Commenting on the age of a building while sightseeing.
Talking about construction
La construcción del nuevo hospital tardará dos años.
The construction of the new hospital will take two years.
Discussing an ongoing building project in a city.
Giving directions
La oficina está en el edificio de la esquina.
The office is in the building on the corner.
Directing someone to a specific location.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Edificio
Confusing edificio and construcción
Incorrect: Vivo en una construcción de diez pisos.
Correct: Vivo en un edificio de diez pisos.
'Construcción' refers to the process of building or a site under construction, not a finished structure where people live. Use 'edificio' for a completed building.
Gender error with edificio
Incorrect: La edificio es muy alta.
Correct: El edificio es muy alto.
'Edificio' is a masculine noun and takes the article 'el.' The adjective must also agree in gender: 'alto,' not 'alta.'
Lock in Building Vocabulary with the Parrot Method
Why word lists alone don't stick
Memorizing a translation feels productive, but most learners forget 70% of what they studied within 48 hours. Vocabulary needs spaced repetition AND real-world exposure to transfer to long-term memory.
See Edificio used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using edificio in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear El edificio tiene veinte pisos. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
Save, review, repeat, stay consistent
Tap any word to save it. Parrot's spaced-repetition system surfaces it right before you'd forget, no manual flashcard creation. The watch, parrot back, save, review cycle turns recognition into fluency at 2.7x the speed of traditional study.
Common Questions About Building in Spanish
- When would I use 'inmueble' instead of 'edificio'?
- 'Inmueble' is a formal and legal term meaning 'real estate property' or 'premises.' You would encounter it in contracts, legal documents, or real estate listings, whereas 'edificio' is the everyday word for a building.
- How do I say 'apartment building' in Spanish?
- An apartment building is typically called 'edificio de apartamentos' or 'edificio de departamentos' (the latter being more common in Mexico and parts of Latin America). In Spain, you might also hear 'bloque de pisos.'
- What is the difference between 'obra' and 'construcción'?
- 'Obra' often refers to the physical construction site or the work being done, as in 'La obra está en progreso' (The construction work is in progress). 'Construcción' is broader and can refer to the industry, the process, or the act of building.