What does it mean word for word?
The word cuántos is the masculine plural form of "how many", which is used to agree with the masculine noun dormitorios.
Which one should you use?
Use cuántos dormitorios specifically when referring to sleeping rooms. In contrast, cuántas habitaciones is a broader term used to ask how many rooms (of any type) a property has.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico and parts of Latin America, cuántas recámaras is a very common way to say "how many bedrooms".
How does it change in a sentence?
When forming a complete sentence, you typically add the third person singular form of the verb tener to ask "How many bedrooms does it have?" (e.g., cuántos dormitorios tiene). Alternatively, you can use the verb haber in the form hay to ask "How many bedrooms are there?" (e.g., cuántos dormitorios hay).
Did you know?
- The word dormitorio shares the same Latin root as the English word 'dormitory'. While the English word usually implies a large shared building, the Spanish word is the standard term for any single bedroom in a home.
- The Mexican term recámara is derived from cámara, which historically described a vaulted chamber. This reflects an old architectural distinction between a private chamber and a general room.
- In some Spanish-speaking real estate listings, you might see estudio used instead of dormitorio. This often indicates a room that lacks a closet or a window, meaning it cannot legally be called a bedroom.
Examples in context
- Disculpe, ¿cuántas habitaciones tiene esta casa en alquiler?Excuse me, how many bedrooms does this rental house have?
- ¿Cuántos dormitorios tiene el apartamento?How many bedrooms does the apartment have?
- ¿Cuántos dormitorios buscas en tu nueva casa?How many bedrooms are you looking for in your new house?
Example conversation
Sofía and Mateo are looking at apartment listings online.
- Sofía¿Cuántos dormitorios tiene este piso, Mateo?How many bedrooms does this flat have, Mateo?
- MateoTiene tres dormitorios muy amplios.It has three very spacious bedrooms.
- SofíaEs perfecto para nosotros.It is perfect for us.
- MateoSí, es un lugar ideal.Yes, it is an ideal place.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
