Household Items in Spanish: Vocabulary List

Imagine for a moment: You’re exploring the bustling streets of Buenos Aires. Someone invites you into their home. As you converse, you want to discuss common household items, but the words escape you! Well, let’s avoid that awkward silence. Whether you’re in Spain or any other Spanish-speaking region, knowing the vocabulary for common items in a casa (house) can be quite handy.

With a plethora of words and phrases, it’s like learning the ingredients of a delicious paella: intricate but deeply rewarding. Our Dedicated Teachers and Student Success Advisors here at SpanishVIP have your back! Ready to expand your Spanish vocabulary and speak about household items with confidence? Let’s dive in!

A Room-by-Room Guide to Household Items in Spanish

La Sala (Living Room)

A place where families gather, watch TV and spend quality time. Some common items in the living room include:

Spanish	English
La mesa	Table
Las cortinas	Curtains
La lámpara	Lamp
La silla	Chair
El sofá	Sofa or Couch
La alfombra	Rug or Carpet
El estante	Shelf
La televisión	TV (Television)
El reproductor de música	Music Player
El cojín	Cushion or Pillow

In many Latin American countries, “la sala” refers to the living room, the central gathering place in the house. But if you’re in Spain, you might hear “el salón” used more frequently. Both words capture the essence of a place where families come together to relax and share moments.

La Cocina (Kitchen)

Ah, la cocina! A haven for all food enthusiasts. Next time you’re whipping up some tapas, remember these words:

Spanish	English
La nevera / El refrigerador	Refrigerator
El horno	Oven
La estufa / El fogón	El fogón – Stove
El microondas	Microwave
El fregadero	Sink
La encimera / El mostrador	El mostrador – Countertop
La alacena	Pantry
El lavavajillas	Dishwasher
La taza	Mug or Cup
El vaso	Glass
El plato	Plate
La cucharilla / La cucharita	Teaspoon
La cuchara	Spoon
El cuchillo	Knife
El tenedor	Fork
La olla	Pot
La sartén	Frying pan or Skillet
El batidor	Whisk
La licuadora	Blender
La cafetera	Coffee maker

And if you’re in Spain, you might hear “el enchufe” a lot. It means the electrical socket, essential for plugging in that blender for your gazpacho! But when you step into la cocina in Mexico, you might find an essential item called “la tortilladora,” used to make tortillas. Meanwhile, in Spain, a staple in many kitchens is the “paellera,” a pan specifically designed to make the famous paella.

Modern living room with blue decor and open kitchen — Image by Kenny Eliason via Unsplash

El Cuarto de Baño (Bathroom)

Hygiene is vital! And so is knowing what things are called in el baño. Some must-know items include:

Spanish	English
El inodoro / La taza	Toilet
El lavabo	Sink or Washbasin
La ducha	Shower
La bañera	Bathtub
El grifo	Faucet or Tap
El espejo	Mirror
El cepillo de dientes	Toothbrush
La pasta de dientes	Toothpaste
La toalla	Towel
El rollo de papel higiénico	Toilet paper roll
La jabonera	Soap dish
El jabón	Soap
El champú	Shampoo
El acondicionador	Conditioner
La alfombrilla	Bath mat
El secador de pelo	Hair dryer
El enchufe	Outlet or Plug
La cortina de ducha	Shower curtain

No, your eyes aren’t deceiving you! The language does have some repeating words that have different meanings in other contexts. For example, while “el enchufe” in la cocina is for your mixer, in el cuarto de baño, it’s for your hair dryer. Cool, right?

Now, if you’re thinking, “This is a bunch of words”, don’t fret! As with any language, practice makes perfect. The more you immerse yourself in the language, the more household items in Spanish will become second nature.

We’ll dive into more rooms and their items in the next section. Exciting, isn’t it? And if you’re ever unsure, remember: our Dedicated Teachers are here to guide you every step of the way.

DID YOU KNOW…?

In many Spanish-speaking regions, “el baño” can also mean the toilet itself or can be used to refer to the need to use the restroom. Language sure has its quirks!

El Dormitorio (Bedroom)

The sanctuary where we rest and dream. In El Dormitorio, you’ll find:

Spanish	English
La cama	Bed
La almohada	Pillow
El edredón / La colcha	Sheet
La sábana	Comforter or Quilt
La manta	Blanket
El armario / El ropero	Wardrobe or Closet
La mesita de noche	Nightstand or Bedside table
La lámpara	Lamp
El espejo	Mirror
El cajón	Drawer
La cómoda	Dresser or Chest of drawers
La alfombra	Rug or Carpet
El reloj despertador	Alarm clock
La ventana	Window
Las cortinas	Curtains
El perchero	Clothes rack or Stand
La silla	Chair
El cuadro / La pintura	Painting or Picture frame

Ever heard the term “snooze the alarm clock”? In Spanish, you’d be reaching for “el despertador”. And that chest of drawers where you keep your clothes? It’s called “la cómoda”.

Cozy bedroom with a lit bedside lamp — Image by Christopher Jolly via Unsplash

El Jardín (Garden)

For those with a green thumb, the garden is a peaceful retreat. Some useful words for el jardín include:

Spanish	English
La flor	Flower
El árbol	Tree
El césped / La grama	Lawn or Grass
El arbusto	Shrub or Bush
La maceta	Flowerpot
El rosal	Rose bush
La pala	Shovel
El rastrillo	Rake
La manguera	Hose
El estanque	Pond
La fuente	Fountain
El banco	Bench
La hamaca	Hammock
El invernadero	Greenhouse
Las semillas	Seeds
El abono / El fertilizante	Fertilizer

From cultivating beautiful flowers to enjoying a relaxing evening under the stars, “el jardín” offers a rejuvenating space in any home. Knowing these terms in Spanish can truly enrich your gardening experience, allowing you to share your passion with fellow gardening enthusiasts from Spanish-speaking cultures.

It’s essential to remember that while household items in Spanish have common terms, regional variations exist. Just like “soda” and “pop” in English, some words differ based on where you are. That’s the beauty of learning Spanish: it’s not just about words, but about culture, people, and the stories they tell.

Beyond The Basics: Nuances in Vocabulary

The Power of Context in Spanish

Spanish, like many languages, is rich in synonyms and words that carry different meanings in other contexts. The word “el cuarto” can mean a bedroom, but it’s also a generic term for any room. So, if someone says they left their “cepillo de dientes” in “el cuarto”, you might need to ask a follow-up question to know which room they’re referring to.

The Influence of Regional Variations

If you’re in Buenos Aires and you ask for a “straw”, you’d say “sorbete”. But in Spain, it’s “pajita”. Just as “el ático” can mean both an attic and a top-floor apartment, regional variations in vocabulary are a testament to the rich tapestry of Spanish-speaking cultures around the world.

DID YOU KNOW…?

While “Ventana” means window, “ventanilla” refers to a smaller window or even a service window, like at a bank or ticket counter

Incorporating Household Vocabulary in Daily Practice

The beauty of learning household items in Spanish is that you’re surrounded by a practice environment daily! Here’s how to make the most of it:

Label Everything: Stick post-it notes on items with their Spanish names.
Talk to Yourself: Narrate what you’re doing. Making coffee? Say the steps in Spanish.
Practice with Friends: Have a Spanish-only dinner where you can only use Spanish vocabulary.

Modern living room with a red armchair — Image by deborah cortelazzi via Pixabay

Making Learning Fun and Effective

Navigating the rooms and items of a casa doesn’t have to be daunting. With the right tools, guidance, and a sprinkle of fun, you’ll be speaking about household items in Spanish like a local in no time. And remember, every word you learn opens up a new door (or should we say, “puerta”?) to deeper conversations and connections.

Ready to take your Spanish to the next level? Dive deeper into the world of Spanish with SpanishVIP. You can start with a free 1:1 class or enjoy free 7 days of group classes. Our Dedicated Teachers and Student Success Advisors are eager to embark on this journey with you.

Hasta luego, amigos!