compañero de cuarto
/kompaɲeɾo de kwaɾto/from spelling rules
The English phrase "roommate" is translated into Spanish as compañero de cuarto.
compañero de cuarto is used to refer to a person with whom one shares an apartment or house.
Meaning: US: with whom one shares an apartment or house (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of compañero, meaning companion or partner and de cuarto, meaning of room.
Which one should you use?
While compañero de cuarto is common in Latin America, compañero de piso is more commonly used in Spain to refer to someone you share an apartment with.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, you can use the term compañero/a de piso to refer to a roommate.
How does it change in a sentence?
To refer to a female roommate, use the feminine form compañera de cuarto. To make the phrase plural, change compañero to compañeros (e.g., compañeros de cuarto).
How do you pronounce it?
/kompaɲeɾo de kwaɾto/
Did you know?
- The word compañero is etymologically linked to the idea of sharing bread, coming from the Latin 'cum panis', meaning 'with bread'.
- The term compañero is often used in political or social movements to mean 'comrade', giving the word a much more serious connotation than the English 'companion'.
- In Spain, if you say you are looking for a compañero de cuarto, you might sound like you are looking for a person to share a specific bedroom with, whereas compañero de piso implies sharing the whole apartment.
Examples in context
- Tom era el compañero de cuarto de John.Tom was John's roommate.This sentence shows how to identify a specific person as a roommate using compañero de cuarto.Tatoeba #1278854 by marcelostockle, translation #1140960 by CK
- Tengo problemas con mi compañero de cuarto. Él se come toda mi comida.I'm having trouble with my roommate. He eats all my food.This sentence uses compañero de cuarto to describe a problem with a roommate.Tatoeba #1283461 by marcelostockle, translation #953825 by CK
- Mi compañero de cuarto tiene veinte años, y hasta unas semanas atrás, no sabía lo que era un clítoris. Él piensa que su falta de conocimiento no es una sorpresa, sabiendo que es gay, pero no lo creo. Eso me confirma que el sistema educativo de aquí no vale un carajo.My roommate is 20 years old, and didn't know what a clitoris was until a few weeks ago. He thinks that his lack of knowledge is self-explanatory because he is gay, but I don't buy it. I think it just goes to show how shitty the public education system is here.This sentence uses compañero de cuarto within a longer narrative about a roommate's background and education.Tatoeba #10348964 by DJ_Saidez, translation #4097603 by hickeety
- Vamos a tener una reunión con todos los compañeros de piso mañana.We're having a meeting with all the roommates tomorrow.
- Necesito buscar un nuevo compañero de habitación.I need to find a new roommate.
- Vivo con mi roomie desde el año pasado y nos llevamos muy bien.I've been living with my roommate since last year, and we get along very well.
Example conversation
Javier and Lucía are talking about their living situation at home.
- Javier¿Cómo está tu compañero de cuarto?How is your roommate?
- LucíaÉl es muy amable y tranquilo.He is very kind and quiet.
- JavierQué bueno que te llevas bien con él.It's good that you get along with him.
- LucíaSí, es un gran compañero de cuarto.Yes, he is a great roommate.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries compañero, cuarto, de, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
