planta baja
/planta baxa/from spelling rulesfeminine
The English phrase "ground floor" is translated into Spanish as planta baja. Wiktionary also lists piso edáfico and primer piso.
Meaning: floor of a building closest to ground level (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| planta baja | /planta baxa/ (from spelling rules) | feminine |
| piso edáfico | /piso edafiko/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
| primer piso | /pɾimeɾ piso/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
The term refers to the floor of a building that is closest to ground level.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase planta baja literally translates to "low floor".
Which one should you use?
Use planta baja to refer specifically to the floor at street level. In many Spanish-speaking regions, primer piso often refers to the first floor located above the ground level.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In parts of Mexico, nivel calle is used to mean "street level".
How does it change in a sentence?
When saying you are "on" the ground floor, use the preposition en rather than sobre. For example, en la planta baja.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using piso edáfico to mean the ground floor of a building. This is a technical geological or soil science term and is not used in everyday conversation for architecture.
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, the elevator button for the ground floor is marked with a PB instead of a number.
- The word planta in planta baja shares a root with the English word 'plant' and comes from a term meaning 'flat'.
- While planta baja is the standard, some regions use bajo as a noun to describe a ground-floor apartment.
Examples in context
- La planta baja estaba inundada.The ground floor was flooded.This sentence shows how to describe the condition of the planta baja.Tatoeba #2268161 by hayastan, translation #2268160 by _undertoad
- Vivo en la planta baja.I live on the ground floor.This sentence uses planta baja to indicate where someone lives.Tatoeba #676394 by darinmex, translation #675878 by CK
- Está en la planta baja.It's on the ground floor.This sentence uses planta baja to describe the location of an object.Tatoeba #11035145 by carlosalberto, translation #4778816 by wells
- La sala de reuniones se encuentra en la planta baja.The meeting room is located on the ground floor.
- Por favor, tome el ascensor hasta la planta baja.Please take the elevator to the ground floor.
- El restaurante está en la planta baja del edificio.The restaurant is on the ground floor of the building.
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Elena and Alejandro are looking for a specific shop in a mall.
- Elena¿Sabes si la tienda está en la planta baja?Do you know if the shop is on the ground floor?
- AlejandroNo, creo que está en el segundo piso.No, I think it is on the second floor.
- ElenaEntonces debemos subir las escaleras.Then we have to go up the stairs.
- AlejandroVale, vamos a buscarla.Okay, let's go look for it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “ground floor” translations and entries planta baja, 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 baja, edáfico, piso, planta, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
