How do you say seat in Spanish?

The most common translation is asiento (ah-see-EHN-toh), which works in virtually any context from vehicles to stadiums.

When should I use butaca instead of asiento?

Butaca specifically refers to an upholstered or padded seat in a theater, cinema, or auditorium, while asiento is the general-purpose word that fits any situation.

How do you ask 'Is this seat taken?' in Spanish?

You can say ¿Está ocupado este asiento? which literally means 'Is this seat occupied?' and is the standard polite way to ask.

Spanish vocabulary · Beginner

How to Say Seat in Spanish: Asiento

Written by Sofia Ramirez, Lead Spanish Curriculum Editor · Reviewed May 2026

Asiento · noun (masculine) · ah-see-EHN-toh

Seat in Spanish is asiento, a masculine noun that refers to any surface or object designed for sitting. Whether you are on a bus, in a theater, or at a table, asiento is the most versatile word for seat.

Asiento is pronounced ah-see-EHN-toh, with the stress on the second-to-last syllable. The ie combination produces a single flowing sound.

¿Está libre este asiento?

Is this seat free?

Seat in Spanish: Quick Reference

Below are the most common Spanish words for seat, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.

Spanish	English	Pronunciation	Region / Register
asiento	seat	ah-see-EHN-toh	Default, widely understood
silla	seat		when referring to a chair
butaca	seat		theater or cinema seat

How Native Speakers Use Asiento

Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.

On public transit

Le cedí mi asiento a una señora mayor en el autobús.

I gave up my seat to an elderly woman on the bus.

Describing a courteous action on public transportation.

At the movies

Nuestros asientos están en la fila diez.

Our seats are in row ten.

Locating assigned seats in a cinema.

In a car

Ajusta el asiento del conductor antes de arrancar.

Adjust the driver's seat before starting the car.

Practical advice when getting into an unfamiliar vehicle.

Avoid These Mistakes When Using Asiento

Using silla for all seats

Incorrect: Mi silla en el avión está junto a la ventana.

Correct: Mi asiento en el avión está junto a la ventana.

Silla means chair and implies a standalone piece of furniture, while asiento is the correct term for a seat built into a vehicle, plane, or theater.

Wrong gender article

Incorrect: La asiento es muy cómoda.

Correct: El asiento es muy cómodo.

Asiento is masculine, so it requires the article el and the masculine adjective cómodo.

Lock in Seat 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 Asiento used by native speakers

Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using asiento in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear ¿Está libre este asiento? while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.

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Common Questions About Seat in Spanish

How do you say seat in Spanish?: The most common translation is asiento (ah-see-EHN-toh), which works in virtually any context from vehicles to stadiums.
When should I use butaca instead of asiento?: Butaca specifically refers to an upholstered or padded seat in a theater, cinema, or auditorium, while asiento is the general-purpose word that fits any situation.
How do you ask 'Is this seat taken?' in Spanish?: You can say ¿Está ocupado este asiento? which literally means 'Is this seat occupied?' and is the standard polite way to ask.