Spanish word

ascensor

Pronunciation

IPA/asθenˈsoɾ/

Meaning

  • masculine nounelevator

Example

Voy a tomar el ascensor.

I'm going to take the elevator.

Illustration for ascensor (elevator)

More examples

El ascensor está averiado.

The elevator is out of order.

Core concept

Enclosed cabin that carries people or goods between floors and stops at each landing.

Common phrases

  • tomar el ascensor

    take the elevator

  • subir en el ascensor

    go up in the elevator

  • bajar en el ascensor

    go down in the elevator

Similar words

elevador: Platform-style lift that raises or lowers people or goods between a building's floors.
escalera: Fixed series of steps forming a stairway for walking up or down between levels.
escalera mecánica: Continuously moving inclined steps powered to carry people between floors without stopping.

Definition in Spanish

Máquina que transporta personas o cosas entre los pisos de un edificio, cerrada y con puertas en cada planta.

Word origin

The word comes from Spanish ascender (from Latin ascendere 'to climb'), with the agentive suffix -or used to name the machine that performs the climbing movement.

Usage tips

  • In Spain people commonly use coger with ascensor, but in much of Latin America coger can be vulgar, so many speakers prefer the verb tomar.

Opposites

Related words

  • ascensoristaelevator operatornoun

Word lists with this word