Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| vestíbulo | /besˈtibulo/ | masculine |
| recibidor | /reθibiˈdoɾ/ /resibiˈdoɾ/ |
masculine |
| zaguán | /θaˈɡwan/ /saˈɡwan/ |
masculine |
| atrio | /ˈatɾjo/ | masculine |
| lobby | /ˈlobi/ | masculine |
The terms provided describe an entryway, a waiting area or a vestibule. While most of these words refer to physical spaces, the English term 'lobby' also carries a political meaning. For the political act of attempting to influence government officials, the anglicism hacer lobbying is frequently used in professional or journalistic contexts, alongside verbs like cabildear or recabar.
Which one should you use?
The different forms are used to describe specific types of spaces. Zaguán refers specifically to a traditional or narrow entryway or passage between a street and a house or courtyard. Atrio is a more formal term used for a large, often open-air or monumental entrance area, such as those found in churches or large institutional buildings. While vestíbulo is a general term for a lobby or vestibule, the anglicism lobby is often used in the context of modern commercial buildings and hotels.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Vestíbulo is the most commonly used formal term for 'lobby' in Spanish. In contrast, the anglicism lobby is common in modern settings like hotels and hacer lobbying is used in professional political contexts.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Argentina, it is common to use the word hall in an informal setting to refer to a lobby.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
All the nouns provided, vestíbulo, recibidor, zaguán, atrio and lobby, are masculine.
How do you pronounce it?
/besˈtibulo/
Did you know?
- While lobby describes a room, the verb cabildear is used for political lobbying and is derived from cabildo, the colonial Spanish town council.
- The term zaguán has an unexpected connection to architecture in the Middle East, as it originates from the Arabic word for 'pillar' or 'column'.
- The word atrio describes the layout of ancient Roman houses, where a central open area served as the heart of the home and the primary entrance for visitors.
Examples in context
- ¿Puedes esperarnos en el vestíbulo?Can you wait for us in the lobby?This sentence is useful for asking someone to wait in the vestíbulo.Tatoeba #7559607 by arh, translation #3329681 by CK
- No abras tu paraguas en el vestíbulo.Don't open your umbrella in the lobby.This sentence is a command regarding behavior in the vestíbulo.Tatoeba #8888952 by escudo119, translation #9176775 by DJ_Saidez
- El hombre que espera en el vestíbulo no me dijo su nombre.The man waiting in the lobby wouldn't tell me his name.This sentence describes a person waiting in the vestíbulo.Tatoeba #8416932 by arh, translation #5853170 by CK
- Puedes encontrarme en el vestíbulo del hotel.You can find me in the hotel lobby.
- La reunión se llevará a cabo en el hall principal.The meeting will take place in the main lobby.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alejandro and María are meeting at a hotel entrance.
- Alejandro¿Estás en el vestíbulo?Are you in the lobby?
- MaríaSí, estoy cerca de la recepción.Yes, I am near the reception.
- AlejandroTe veo ahora mismo.I see you right now.
- MaríaPerfecto, te espero aquí.Perfect, I'll wait for you here.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “lobby” translations and entries vestíbulo, recibidor, zaguán, atrio, lobby, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries atrio, recibidor, vestíbulo, zaguán, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
