sillón
/siˈʝon/masculine
The English word armchair is translated into Spanish as sillón. If unsure, use sillón. Wiktionary also lists poltrona and butaca.
Meaning: chair with supports for the arms or elbows (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| sillón | /siˈʝon/ | masculine |
| poltrona | /polˈtɾona/ | feminine |
| butaca | /buˈtaka/ | feminine |
| silla poltrona | /siʝa poltɾona/ (from spelling rules) | feminine |
All the terms provided refer to a chair with supports for the arms or elbows. In a figurative sense, the related phrases de sillón and de salón are used as adjectives to describe something that is remote from actual involvement or someone who is unqualified or uninformed.
Which one should you use?
While sillón is the most common and general term for a large, comfortable armchair used in a living room or lounge, butaca is the word used for an armchair or seat in a theater, cinema or stadium. The term poltrona is a more formal or specialized term for an armchair.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
/siˈʝon/
Did you know?
Examples in context
- Este sillón es cómodo.This armchair is comfortable.This sentence is useful for describing the comfort of a sillón.Tatoeba #5854094 by arh, translation #4815526 by CK
- Este sillón es una rareza.This armchair is a rarity.This sentence is useful for describing a sillón that is rare.Tatoeba #8383548 by arh, translation #13006647 by rul
- Estoy sentado en el sillón.I'm sitting in the armchair.This sentence is useful for describing the act of sitting in a sillón.Tatoeba #8323904 by arh, translation #12995845 by rul
- Me gustaría tener un sillón cómodo en mi oficina.I would like to have a comfortable armchair in my office.
- Las butacas del teatro eran muy cómodas.The theater's armchairs were very comfortable.
- Me encanta sentarme en mi sillón a leer un libro.I love sitting in my armchair to read a book.
- 6 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alejandro and Sofía are decorating their new living room.
- Alejandro¿Dónde ponemos este sillón?Where do we put this armchair?
- SofíaPonlo junto a la ventana, Alejandro.Put it next to the window, Alejandro.
- AlejandroEl sillón se ve muy bien ahí.The armchair looks very good there.
- SofíaSí, es perfecto para descansar.Yes, it is perfect for resting.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “armchair” translations and entries sillón, poltrona, butaca, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries butaca, poltrona, silla, sillón, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
