en el aula
/en el aula/from spelling rules
The English phrase "in the classroom" is translated into Spanish as en el aula.
The phrase is used to describe being inside the physical room where students are taught.
What does it mean word for word?
The word en translates to "in", "on" or "at" depending on the context.
Which one should you use?
While en el aula refers specifically to the physical room, the alternative phrase en la clase is often used to refer to the lesson or the group of students as a whole.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some Latin American countries, it is common to say En el aula de clases to mean "in the classroom".
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the plural "in the classrooms", use en las aulas.
How do you pronounce it?
/en el aula/
Did you know?
- Although aula is a feminine noun, it uses the masculine article el in the singular because it starts with a stressed 'a' sound.
- The word aula comes from a Greek word meaning 'courtyard'. In antiquity, lessons were often held in open-air spaces rather than enclosed rooms.
- In some regions, saying estoy en clase without the article la implies you are currently in the act of learning, rather than just sitting in a room.
Examples in context
- ¿Come en el aula?Do you eat in the classroom?This sentence is useful for asking about eating using en el aula.Tatoeba #1003052 by Shishir, translation #590016 by CK
- Hay una pizarra en el aula.There's a blackboard in the classroom.This sentence is useful for describing what is inside the room using en el aula.Tatoeba #9636734 by Shishir, translation #9741265 by DJ_Saidez
- El nuevo profesor está en el aula.The new professor is in the classroom.This sentence is useful for stating a person's location using en el aula.Tatoeba #1330504 by Shishir, translation #1330517 by Eldad
- Hoy tuvimos una actividad divertida en el aula de español.Today we had a fun activity in the Spanish classroom.
- La profesora se encuentra en el aula de clases preparando la lección.The teacher is in the classroom preparing the lesson.
- Mi lugar favorito en clase es al lado de la ventana.My favorite spot in class is next to the window.
- El profesor nos espera en el salón para comenzar la clase.The teacher is waiting for us in the classroom to start the class.
- 10 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two students are looking for their friend before class starts.
- María¿Sabes si Juan está en el aula?Do you know if Juan is in the classroom?
- AlejandroNo, yo no lo vi en el aula.No, I did not see him in the classroom.
- MaríaTal vez él esté en la biblioteca.Maybe he is in the library.
- AlejandroEs muy probable, vamos a buscarlo.That is very likely, let's go look for him.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries aula, el, en, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
