Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
How to Say Window in Spanish
Ventana · noun · behn-TAH-nah
Ventana is the standard Spanish word for window. It applies to house windows, building windows, and even metaphorical windows of opportunity. The diminutive ventanilla refers specifically to small windows, such as a car window, airplane window, or the service window at a bank or government office.
behn-TAH-nah / behn-tah-NEE-yah
Abre la ventana para que entre aire fresco.
Open the window so fresh air comes in.
Window in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for window, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| ventana | window | behn-TAH-nah | Default, widely understood |
| ventanilla | window | small window, such as at a bank, ticket booth, or car |
How Native Speakers Use Ventana
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
At home
Cierra la ventana, que está lloviendo.
Close the window, it's raining.
Ventana is the everyday word used for house and building windows.
In a car
Baja la ventanilla, por favor, necesito aire.
Roll down the window, please, I need air.
Ventanilla is the standard term for a car window in most Spanish-speaking countries.
At the bank
Pase a la ventanilla número cuatro.
Please go to window number four.
Service windows at banks, post offices, and government buildings are always ventanilla.
Figurative use
Esta beca es una ventana de oportunidad para tu carrera.
This scholarship is a window of opportunity for your career.
Ventana de oportunidad mirrors the English metaphor window of opportunity.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Ventana
Using ventana for a car window
Incorrect: Sube la ventana del carro.
Correct: Sube la ventanilla del carro.
Car windows are typically called ventanillas, not ventanas. Using ventana for a car window sounds unnatural in most dialects.
Confusing v and b sounds
Incorrect: Pronunciation: vehn-TAH-nah (with a clear English v)
Correct: Pronunciation: behn-TAH-nah
In Spanish, the letters v and b are pronounced identically—as a soft bilabial sound. There is no English v sound in standard Spanish.
Lock in Window 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 Ventana used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using ventana in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear Abre la ventana para que entre aire fresco. 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 Window in Spanish
- When do I use ventanilla instead of ventana?
- Use ventanilla for small or service-oriented windows: car windows, airplane windows, ticket booths, bank counters, and similar openings. Use ventana for regular house or building windows.
- How do I say to open the window in Spanish?
- Say abrir la ventana. For example: ¿Puedo abrir la ventana? (Can I open the window?). To close it, use cerrar la ventana.
- Does ventana have a figurative meaning?
- Just like in English, ventana extends to metaphorical uses. Ventana de oportunidad (window of opportunity) is a common expression in Spanish business and media contexts.