Spanish Conversation · Level 85
60 words
Spanish word
atalaya
Pronunciation
IPA/ataˈlaʝa/
Meaning
- feminine nounwatchtower
Example
Desde la atalaya se ve todo el valle.
From the watchtower you can see the whole valley.
More examples
Los turistas suben hasta la atalaya para sacar fotos.
Tourists climb up to the watchtower to take photos.
Core concept
A tall tower used to watch and guard the surrounding area.
Common phrases
visitar la atalaya
visit the watchtower
subir hasta la atalaya
climb up to the watchtower
mirar desde la atalaya
look from the watchtower
Similar words
torre: Tall freestanding building or structure that rises prominently above its surroundings.
mirador: Small elevated platform or lookout built specifically for enjoying or viewing scenery.
Definition in Spanish
Edificio o torre alta destinada a la vigilancia de un lugar; también aparece como nombre de lugar y en usos figurados.
Word origin
It comes from Andalusi Arabic al-ṭalʿa 'the rise or watchpoint', with the Arabic article al- fused to the noun to form atalaya.
Usage tips
- It appears in place names and in historical or tourist descriptions and is often used metaphorically to mean a vantage point of influence.
Other meanings
- guard towernoun
- lookoutnoun
- lookout platformnoun