patio
/ˈpatjo/masculine
The Spanish word for patio is patio.
patio refers to a paved outside area adjoining a house that is used for dining or recreation. Additionally, the phrase El Patio de Recreo is used specifically to refer to a playground or a schoolyard.
Meaning: a paved outside area, adjoining a house, used for dining or recreation (noun)
Is it said differently in some regions?
In rural areas of Mexico, El Corral can refer to a patio used for keeping livestock.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈpatjo/
Did you know?
- Traditional Spanish patios in cities like Córdoba are famously decorated with colorful ceramic pots lining the walls, leading to annual competitions for the most beautiful courtyard.
- In some Spanish contexts, the phrase en el patio can figuratively refer to one's own territory or sphere of influence, similar to the English expression 'my backyard'.
- The Latin root 'pateō' suggests that a patio is fundamentally something that 'lies open', which describes the architectural nature of the space.
Examples in context
- ¿Tienes una mesa en el patio?Do you have a table on the patio?Tatoeba #1404236 by marcelostockle, translation #502617 by CK
- ¿Por qué no comemos en el patio?Why don't we have lunch on the patio?Tatoeba #10023944 by manufrutos, translation #10023861 by CK
- Los niños están merendando en el patio.The children are having a snack on the patio.Tatoeba #1260702 by hayastan, translation #2737786 by catcher
- La fiesta será en el patio trasero de mi casa.The party will be in the backyard of my house.
- Nos encontraremos en el patio de recreo después de la escuela.We will meet at the playground after school.
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucía and Mateo are deciding where to drink coffee.
- LucíaHace mucho sol hoy.It is very sunny today.
- MateoSí, ¿tomamos el café en el patio?Yes, shall we have coffee on the patio?
- LucíaEs una buena idea, Mateo.That is a good idea, Mateo.
- MateoVoy a buscar las sillas.I will go get the chairs.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “patio” translations and entries patio, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries patio, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
