Spanish word

azotea

Pronunciation

IPA/aθoˈtea/

Meaning

  • feminine nounrooftop

Example

Vamos a la azotea para ver el atardecer.

Let's go to the rooftop to watch the sunset.

Illustration for azotea (rooftop)

More examples

Organizamos una fiesta en la azotea para celebrar el cumpleaños.

We organized a rooftop party to celebrate the birthday.

Core concept

Accessible flat roof on top of a building.

Common phrases

  • subir a la azotea

    go up to the rooftop

  • fiesta en la azotea

    rooftop party

  • en la azotea

    on the rooftop

Similar words

terraza: Outdoor flat space attached to a building for relaxing or dining.
tejado: Sloped roof that covers a building and sheds rain and snow.
cubierta: Protective covering over the top of a building that shields it from the elements.

Definition in Spanish

Parte superior de un edificio con techo plano, accesible y utilizada como espacio exterior o terraza.

Word origin

Borrowed into Spanish from Andalusi Arabic, ultimately from Arabic s-ṭ-ḥ meaning 'surface' or 'flat area' and applied to a building's flat top.

Usage tips

  • Spanish commonly uses subir a la azotea to mean 'go up to the rooftop', which emphasizes the literal roof rather than a terrace at street level.

Other meanings

  • roof terracenoun
  • flat roofnoun

Opposites

Word lists with this word