recibidor
/reθibiˈdoɾ/
The English phrase "entry room" is translated into Spanish as recibidor.
The word recibidor is used to describe the specific area or small room where guests are greeted upon entering a home.
Which one should you use?
Vestíbulo is a formal way to refer to the entry room, specifically the area where you enter a building. Hall de entrada is a formal expression for the entry room used to describe the main entrance area of a house or apartment.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some regions of Spain and Latin America, zaguán is used to refer to a large entry hall or a covered area inside the entrance of a house or building.
How does it change in a sentence?
In a sentence, the word is typically used with the masculine definite article el. The plural form of recibidor is recibidores.
How do you pronounce it?
/reθibiˈdoɾ/
Did you know?
- The word zaguán is a linguistic survivor from the Arabic word as-suqan, reflecting the centuries of Moorish influence on the architecture and language of Spain.
- The word recibidor is actually a functional noun created from the verb recibir, meaning 'to receive', combined with the suffix '-dor', which denotes the person or thing that performs the action.
- In some Latin American countries, the term hall is frequently borrowed from English and used in casual conversation instead of recibidor.
Examples in context
- En el vestíbulo encontramos una hermosa obra de arte.In the entry room, we find a beautiful piece of art.
- La decoración del hall de entrada es impresionante.The decor of the entry room is impressive.
- La entrada de su apartamento es muy amplia y bien iluminada.The entry room of your apartment is very spacious and well-lit.
- El zaguán de esta mansión es impresionante, ¡parece un palacio!The entry hall of this mansion is impressive, it looks like a palace!
- Después de atravesar la antesala, serás atendido por el médico.After passing through the waiting room, you will be attended by the doctor.
- Me gusta cómo han decorado el vestíbulo de este hotel.I like how they have decorated the entry room of this hotel.
- Deja las llaves en el recibidor.Leave the keys in the entry room.
- El recibidor es muy luminoso.The entry room is very bright.
- Hay un espejo en el recibidor.There is a mirror in the entry room.
Example conversation
Elena and Daniel are arriving at their new apartment.
- Elena¿Dónde pongo las bolsas?Where do I put the bags?
- DanielPonlas en el recibidor, Elena.Put them in the entry room, Elena.
- ElenaEl recibidor es bastante pequeño.The entry room is quite small.
- DanielPero es muy acogedor.But it is very cozy.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry recibidor, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries recibidor, CC BY-SA 4.0.
