Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| aula | /ˈaula/ | feminine |
| sala de clases | /sala de klases/ (from spelling rules) | Chile, Puerto Rico, feminine |
| salón de clases | /salon de klases/ (from spelling rules) | Colombia, Mexico, Venezuela, masculine |
The term refers to a room in a school (noun).
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase sala de clases literally means 'room of classes'. The phrase salón de clases literally means 'hall of classes' or 'room of classes'.
Which one should you use?
Aula is often used in more formal, academic or technical contexts (like university settings) compared to the more common salón de clases.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Sala de clases is used in Chile and Puerto Rico. Salón de clases is used in Colombia, Mexico and Venezuela. Additionally, sala de clases is a formal term for classroom used in Latin America, especially in Mexico and Argentina, while salón de clases is a formal term for classroom used in Central American countries like Costa Rica and El Salvador.
How does it change in a sentence?
Aula is a feminine noun. sala de clases is feminine and salón de clases is masculine.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈaula/
Did you know?
- The word salón is a direct relative of the English word 'saloon'.
- The word salón contains the suffix '-ón', which in Spanish is often used to indicate that something is larger than the original noun 'sala'.
- If you are in a professional or legal setting, you might hear aula used to refer to a 'courtroom' or an 'assembly hall' rather than just a school classroom.
Examples in context
- ¿Come en el aula?Do you eat in the classroom?This sentence is useful for asking about eating in the aula.Tatoeba #1003052 by Shishir, translation #590016 by CK
- Hay una pizarra en el aula.There's a blackboard in the classroom.This sentence is useful for mentioning a blackboard in the aula.Tatoeba #9636734 by Shishir, translation #9741265 by DJ_Saidez
- Se escabulló fuera del aula.He slipped out of the classroom.This sentence is useful for describing someone slipping out of the aula.Tatoeba #991051 by Shishir, translation #295364 by CK
- La conferencia se llevará a cabo en el aula principal.The conference will take place in the main classroom.
- Los estudiantes se reunirán en la sala de clases mañana.The students will gather in the classroom tomorrow.
- La profesora estará en el salón de clases a las 8 de la mañana.The teacher will be in the classroom at 8 a.m.
- ¡Qué bien se está en el salón de clases con nuestros amigos!How nice it is in the classroom with our friends!
- Vamos a estudiar en el aula de María.Let's study in Maria's classroom.
- El profesor está dando una lección en el aula.The teacher is giving a lesson in the classroom.
- Nos vemos en la sala de clases después del recreo.See you in the classroom after recess.
- Vamos a jugar al fútbol en el aula de educación física.Let's play soccer in the physical education classroom.
- 41 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alejandro and Sofía are looking for their study room in a school.
- Alejandro¿Sabes dónde está el aula?Do you know where the classroom is?
- SofíaSí, el aula está al final del pasillo.Yes, the classroom is at the end of the hallway.
- AlejandroGracias, Sofía, eres muy amable.Thanks, Sofía, you are very kind.
- SofíaDe nada, Alejandro, buena suerte.You're welcome, Alejandro, good luck.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “classroom” translations and entries aula, 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 aula, de, sala, salón, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
