Spanish word

biblioteca

Pronunciation

IPA/biβljoˈteka/

Meaning

  • feminine nounlibrary

Example

¿Dónde está la biblioteca?

Where is the library?

Illustration for biblioteca (library)

More examples

Mañana estudio en la biblioteca.

Tomorrow I will study in the library.

Core concept

Public building housing organized collections of books, periodicals, and lending services.

Common phrases

  • ir a la biblioteca

    go to the library

  • la biblioteca pública

    public library

  • estudiar en la biblioteca

    study in the library

Similar words

librería: Retail shop that sells books and magazines for customers to buy.
archivo: Facility that organizes and preserves documents and records for long-term access.
centro cultural: Venue that hosts community cultural events, workshops, and exhibitions.
sala de lectura: Indoor room set aside for quiet reading, study, and consulting reference materials.

Definition in Spanish

Edificio o sala pública donde se guarda y se pone a disposición una colección de libros y otros materiales para lectura, consulta o préstamo.

Word origin

From Greek biblion 'book' and thēkē 'receptacle', via Latin into Spanish, biblioteca literally means a place for keeping books.

Usage tips

  • Spanish librería means bookstore not library, so using librería instead of biblioteca suggests buying rather than borrowing.

Other meanings

  • library collectionnoun

Related words

Word lists with this word