dormitorio principal
/doɾmitoɾjo pɾinθipal/from spelling rules
In Spanish, 'master room' is translated as dormitorio principal.
The phrase refers to the largest bedroom in a house, which typically includes a private bathroom.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of dormitorio (bedroom) and principal (main/principal).
Which one should you use?
While dormitorio principal is a standard way to express this, many Spanish-speaking countries also commonly use habitación principal to mean the main room or bedroom.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, you may hear the colloquial expression Habitación de matrimonio or the term Dormitorio de matrimonio to refer to the master room.
How do you pronounce it?
/doɾmitoɾjo pɾinθipal/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using cuarto maestro as a literal translation of 'master room'. In Spanish, maestro is not used to describe a primary bedroom.
Did you know?
- In some Spanish-speaking regions, the word dormidero exists as a close relative to dormitorio, though it is far less formal and can sometimes refer to a simple place to crash.
- The Spanish word principal shares the same Latin root as the English word 'prince', both referring to the 'first' or 'highest' rank.
- While principal means 'main', it is used in Spanish to describe the most important room in a house without the historical connotations of 'mastery' or 'ownership' found in the English 'master bedroom'.
Examples in context
- Este dormitorio principal es espacioso y tiene una fantástica vista al mar.This master room is spacious and has a fantastic sea view.
- El dormitorio principal es muy amplio.The master bedroom is very spacious.
- Buscamos un dormitorio principal con baño.We are looking for a master bedroom with a bathroom.
- Las cortinas del dormitorio principal son nuevas.The curtains in the master bedroom are new.
Example conversation
A couple is looking at a house for sale.
- Elena¿Dónde está el dormitorio principal?Where is the master bedroom?
- AlejandroEstá en la planta alta, Elena.It is upstairs, Elena.
- ElenaParece muy cómodo y luminoso.It looks very comfortable and bright.
- AlejandroSí, es el mejor de la casa.Yes, it is the best one in the house.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries dormitorio, principal, CC BY-SA 4.0.
