No One Says Apartamento:
A Piso Glossary for Spain

When I first moved to Madrid, I absolutely thought my Spanish was on point… until I started looking for apartments and had my potential compañeros de piso rambling on a mile a minute about fianzas, ascensores and gastos aparte. ¿Say what?

For starters, you’re not looking for an apartamento. You’re looking for a piso. Well, most likely your looking for una habitación disponible en un piso – an available room in a flat/apartment.

You’ll see these words all over the flat-finding sites and will be using them constantly during the piso hunt, so start brushin’ up!

Los Basicos	The Basics
Piso (en alquiler)	apartment / flat (for rent)
Piso Compartido	shared flat/apartment
Habitación/dormitorio	bedroom
Estudio	studio apartment
(6`) planta (con/sin ascensor)	(sixth) floor (with/without elevator)
Alquilar	to rent (verb)
¿Está todavía disponible?	Is it still availabe?
La gente	People
Inmobiliario	Rental agency (boo!)
Dueño/a	landlord
Compañero/a(s) (de piso)	roommates / flatmates
Vecino/a(s)	neighbours
Fumador(es)	smoker(s)
(¿se admite) Mascotas (?)	Are pets allowed?
Dinero & Documentos	Money & Documents
Alquiler / renta (mensual)	(monthly) rent
¿Cuánto vale?	How much is it?
Fianza (de un mes) (de dos meses)	(1 month) deposit; (2 month) deposit
Gastos (luz, gas, agua, internet)	bills (electricity, gas, water, internet)
Gastos incluidos	bills included
Gastos aparte	bills separate / additional
Comunidad	community fees
Transferencia	bank transfer
Efectivo	cash
Recibo	receipt
Contrato	contract
Localización / Ubicación	Location
Bien comunicada	well connected (in terms of public transport)
Bien ubicado	good location
Cerca de	near, close to
Seguro	safe
Calle callada/ruidosa	quiet street / noisy street
Características	Characteristics
Exterior/interior	Exterior or interior room
Amueblado	furnished
Cama individual / cama doble	twin bed / double bed
Extras	Extras
¿Hay …	Is / are there….
Ascensor ?	an elevator/life?
Calefacción central ?	central heating?
Aire condicionada ?	air conditioning?
wifi ? “weefee”	wifi

Or just download the printable version here: No One Says Apartamento – A Piso Glossary for Spain.

Like what you see?

The real consejos are in the links below. Read on and get ready to make yourself at home in sunny España 😊

The 3 Commandments of Piso Hunting in Spain

The Ultimate Guide to Finding an Apartment in Spain

Home is Where the Heart Is You Don’t Hate Your Roommates ❤ (coming soon)

Plus, read on here to find out what you should be doing now to prepare for the big move in September.

Region Specific

Las Palmas Language Assistants: Barrios of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

Santa Cruz Language Assistants: Barrios in and around Santa Cruz de Tenerife & La Laguna (coming soon)

Madrid Language Assistants: Barrios of Madrid (coming soon)

© Erica Edwards and getupgetoutgetlost.com, 2016. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Erica Edwards and getupgetoutgetlost.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.