suelo del sótano
/swelo del sotano/from spelling rules
The English phrase "basement floor" is translated into Spanish as suelo del sótano.
This phrase refers to the surface of the ground in the lowest level of a building.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of suelo (floor/ground), del (of the) and sótano (basement).
Which one should you use?
While suelo del sótano refers to the physical surface or ground, you might encounter piso del sótano, where piso is used to refer to the floor as a specific level or a structural layer.
Did you know?
- The Spanish word sótano is a linguistic cousin of the Portuguese word sótão, but in Portugal it refers to the attic rather than the basement.
- On elevator panels, you will likely see planta sótano instead of suelo del sótano to denote the basement level.
- While suelo refers to the physical surface of the basement, the word suelo can also be used in a metaphorical sense to mean the 'ground' or 'foundation' of an idea.
Examples in context
- En mi apartamento, el sótano está en el segundo piso.In my apartment, the basement is on the second floor.
- El suelo del sótano está mojado.The basement floor is wet.
- El suelo del sótano está muy frío.The basement floor is very cold.
- Hay que limpiar el suelo del sótano.The basement floor needs to be cleaned.
- No dejes la caja en el suelo del sótano.Don't leave the box on the basement floor.
Example conversation
Daniel and Sofía are organizing their new house.
- Sofía¿Viste algo en el suelo del sótano?Did you see anything on the basement floor?
- DanielSí, encontré una llave vieja, Sofía.Yes, I found an old key, Sofía.
- Sofía¡Qué bien! Déjala sobre la mesa.That's great! Leave it on the table.
- DanielEstá bien, lo haré ahora.Alright, I'll do it now.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries del, suelo, sótano, CC BY-SA 4.0.
