patio
/ˈpatjo/
The Spanish word for courtyard is patio.
patio is the most common and general term used to refer to a courtyard.
Meaning: unroofed walled area (noun)
Which one should you use?
In English, the word 'patio' often refers to a paved outdoor area designed for sitting. However, in Spanish, patio specifically refers to an enclosed courtyard area of a building.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun patio is masculine and is used with the masculine article el (el patio). The plural form is los patios.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈpatjo/
Did you know?
- The term patio can also refer to a loading dock or the open area of a commercial warehouse.
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, the word patio is used to describe a school playground.
- The word patio shares a root with the Latin pateō, which means 'to lie open', describing the physical state of the space rather than its function.
Examples in context
- La ventana da al patio.The window gives onto the courtyard.This sentence shows how a window can face the patio.Tatoeba #600936 by Leono, translation #2055468 by halfb1t
- Hay un pavo real en el patio.There's a peacock in the courtyard.This sentence illustrates the presence of an animal in the patio.Tatoeba #6060589 by albrusgher, translation #1482609 by Spamster
- El patio de la casa es muy grande.The courtyard of the house is very large.
Example conversation
Mateo and Lucía are looking at a house for rent.
- MateoMira qué bonito es este patio.Look how beautiful this courtyard is.
- LucíaSí, es muy amplio y luminoso.Yes, it is very spacious and bright.
- Mateo¿Podemos poner una mesa en el patio?Can we put a table in the courtyard?
- LucíaClaro, cabría perfectamente aquí.Of course, it would fit perfectly here.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “courtyard” translations and entries patio, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries patio, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
