escritorio
/eskɾiˈtoɾjo/masculine
The Spanish word for desk is escritorio. Wiktionary also lists pupitre and carpeta.
Meaning: table for writing and reading (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| escritorio | /eskɾiˈtoɾjo/ | masculine |
| pupitre | /puˈpitɾe/ | masculine |
| carpeta | /kaɾˈpeta/ | Cuba, Peru, feminine |
| mesabanco | /mesaˈbanko/ | Mexico, feminine |
| secreter | /sekɾeteɾ/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
| escribanía | /eskɾibaˈnia/ | feminine |
The term refers to a table used for reading and writing.
What does it mean word for word?
The word escritorio is derived from the verb escribir, which means 'to write'.
Which one should you use?
While escritorio refers to a general desk used in an office or home, pupitre specifically refers to a student's desk in a classroom.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, the word mesabanco is used to refer to a desk. In Cuba and Peru, the word carpeta is used. In certain Latin American countries, the term el pupitre escolar is commonly used to mean a school desk.
How does it change in a sentence?
escritorio, pupitre, secreter are masculine nouns, while carpeta and escribanía are feminine nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/eskɾiˈtoɾjo/
Did you know?
- The Spanish word pupitre shares a linguistic ancestor with the word púlpito, which means 'pulpit'.
- The term escribanía can refer to a desk, but it is also used to describe the office or the professional practice of a notary.
- While an English speaker uses 'desk' for many purposes, in some Spanish dialects, using carpeta to mean 'desk' might lead a person to think you are talking about a 'folder'.
Examples in context
- Este es mi escritorio.This is my desk.This sentence shows how to identify ownership of an escritorio.Tatoeba #1264837 by marcelostockle, translation #55622 by CK
- No coma en el pupitre.Don't eat at your desk.This sentence is a command regarding an pupitre.Tatoeba #11934348 by Seael, translation #11934332 by CK
- Mi escritorio es viejo.My desk is old.This sentence is used to describe the age of an escritorio.Tatoeba #1282993 by marcelostockle, translation #250633 by CK
- El maestro organizó los libros en el escritorio antes de comenzar la clase.The teacher organized the books on the desk before starting the class.
- Necesito un espacio amplio en la oficina con una mesa de trabajo cómoda.I need a spacious area in the office with a comfortable work desk.
- Los estudiantes se sentaron en sus pupitres y prestaron atención al profesor.The students sat at their desks and paid attention to the teacher.
- Déjame tus deberes en el escritorio de tu cuarto.Leave your homework on the desk in your room.
- Me encanta sentarme en la mesa de trabajo y dibujar durante horas.I love to sit at the desk and draw for hours.
- Déjame un momento mientras encuentro mi libreta en la mesita del salón.Give me a moment while I find my notebook on the small desk in the living room.
- 185 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mateo and Elena are in a home office.
- MateoTengo demasiados papeles en mi escritorio.I have too many papers on my desk.
- ElenaPuedes ponerlos en esa caja, Mateo.You can put them in that box, Mateo.
- MateoTienes razón, necesito limpiar el escritorio.You are right, I need to clean the desk.
- ElenaYo te ayudo a organizarlo.I will help you organize it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “desk” translations and entries escritorio, pupitre, carpeta, mesabanco, secreter, escribanía, 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 carpeta, escritorio, mesabanco, pupitre, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
