azotea

flat roof

noun ah-soh-TEH-ah Rare

Origin: From Arabic as-sath 'the flat roof'.

Also means

rooftop terrace

Usage Note

Azotea refers to the flat, accessible rooftop of a building, a common feature of Mediterranean and Latin American urban architecture. The Arabic origin reflects Moorish architectural influence on Spanish building traditions. Colloquially, estar mal de la azotea means to be crazy (literally 'wrong in the head/attic').

Examples

"Tomamos el sol en la azotea del edificio."

Natural Translation

We sunbathed on the rooftop of the building.

Related Words

Explore Spanish by topic

SpanishNow

How to Say "You" in Spanish: Tú, Usted, Vos & Vosotros

Spanish has five words for "you": tú, usted, vos, vosotros, and ustedes. Learn which to use by who you're talking to and where — plus the verb endings.

June 3, 2026 6 min read

SpanishNow

Spanish Numbers 1-100: Count, Spell & Pronounce

Spanish numbers 1 to 100 are a system, not a list: three patterns build every number. Master the spelling, the accent rule, and how to say prices fast.

June 9, 2026 6 min read

SpanishNow

Preterite vs. Imperfect: Spanish Past Tense Made Easy

Preterite vs. imperfect: use the preterite for finished events, the imperfect for ongoing scenery. A trigger-word cheat sheet, flowchart, and examples.

June 9, 2026 6 min read

SpanishNow

How to Roll Your Rs in Spanish (Even If You Can't Yet)

Roll your Rs in Spanish by building from the butter sound you already make, then adding airflow. A step-by-step method, minimal pairs, and self-check drills.

June 3, 2026 7 min read