sofá cama
/sofa kama/from spelling rules
The English phrase sofabed is translated into Spanish as sofá cama.
The term refers to a sofa that can be converted into a bed.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is a compound of sofá (sofa) and cama (bed).
Which one should you use?
The variation sofá de cama is also used to describe the same object. Additionally, sofá convertible is used for a sofabed that can be easily transformed into a bed, while sofá nido refers specifically to a sofabed with an additional hidden bed underneath it.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain and some Latin American countries, sofá convertible is popular for models that transform easily. In Mexico and Spain, sofá nido is commonly used to describe a sofabed that has an additional hidden bed underneath it.
How does it change in a sentence?
When pluralizing the phrase, only the noun sofá changes to sofás, while cama remains singular (e.g., sofás cama).
Did you know?
- The word sofá has an unexpected Arabic ancestor, the word 'ṣuffa', which referred to a raised platform or a bench used for sitting.
- While sofá cama is the general term, using sofá nido literally describes the furniture as a 'nest sofa' because the second bed is tucked inside the first.
- The plural form sofás cama follows a specific Spanish rule where the second noun in a compound remains singular even when the object is plural.
Examples in context
- Estoy interesado en comprar un sofá cama para mi sala de estar.I'm interested in buying a sofabed for my living room.
- El sofá cama es muy práctico cuando tienes invitados en casa.The sofabed is very practical when you have guests at home.
- Invierte en un sofá convertible para aprovechar al máximo el espacio en tu apartamento.Invest in a convertible sofabed to make the most of the space in your apartment.
- El sofá cama es muy cómodo.The sofabed is very comfortable.
- Necesitamos comprar un sofá cama para el salón.We need to buy a sofabed for the living room.
- ¿Puedes abrir el sofá cama para tu hermano?Can you open the sofabed for your brother?
Example conversation
María and Mateo are decorating their new apartment.
- MaríaMateo, ¿dónde pondremos el sofá cama?Mateo, where will we put the sofabed?
- MateoPodemos ponerlo en la habitación de invitados.We can put it in the guest room.
- MaríaEs una buena idea para cuando vengan amigos.It is a good idea for when friends come over.
- MateoSí, ese sofá cama nos vendrá muy bien.Yes, that sofabed will be very useful for us.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cama, sofá, CC BY-SA 4.0.
