ascensor
/asθenˈsoɾ/
The Spanish word for elevator is ascensor.
An elevator is a machine used to carry people or goods up and down between floors of a building.
Which one should you use?
While ascensor is common in Spain, elevador is often used in several Latin American countries. If the machine is specifically designed only for moving goods and not people, the technical term montascargas is used for a goods lift or freight elevator.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The word elevador is an acceptable formal term for elevator, primarily used in Latin American countries.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of ascensor is ascensores.
How do you pronounce it?
/asθenˈsoɾ/
Did you know?
- While ascensor describes the machine, the action of going up is ascender, a verb also used in professional contexts to describe a promotion at work.
- In some Latin American countries, calling a passenger lift an elevador can be confusing because the word often refers specifically to a car lift or a hydraulic platform.
- The word ascensor is a direct loan from the Latin ascēnsor, which referred to something that lifts or raises.
Examples in context
- Bajé en el ascensor.I took the elevator down.This sentence shows how to express taking the elevator down.Tatoeba #1586322 by Shishir, translation #1434714 by nabeel_tahir
- No uses el ascensor.Don't use the elevator.This sentence is a way to tell someone not to use the elevator.Tatoeba #10205612 by arh, translation #10248646 by LimeGreenTeknii
- El ascensor no funciona.The elevator isn't running.This sentence describes a situation where the elevator is not functioning.Tatoeba #2199657 by Shishir, translation #2268108 by _undertoad
- Por favor, tome el ascensor hasta el quinto piso.Please take the elevator to the fifth floor.
- El elevador está al final del pasillo.The elevator is at the end of the hallway.
- 79 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Javier and María are standing in a building lobby.
- Javier¿Dónde está el ascensor?Where is the elevator?
- MaríaEstá al final del pasillo.It is at the end of the hallway.
- JavierGracias, María.Thank you, María.
- MaríaDe nada, Javier.You're welcome, Javier.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry ascensor, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ascensor, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
