azulejo

tile

noun ah-soo-LEH-hoh Rare

Origin: from Arabic al-zulaij, 'small polished stone'

Usage Note

Azulejo refers specifically to a glazed ceramic wall or floor tile, the kind covering the facades and interiors of buildings throughout Spain and Latin America. It comes from the Arabic az-zulayj ('small polished stone'), not from azul ('blue') despite the resemblance. The diminutive azulejito is used affectionately.

Examples

"Los azulejos de la cocina son de colores vivos."

Natural Translation

The kitchen tiles are brightly colored.

Literal Translation

The tiles of the kitchen are of colors vivid.

Free starter pack

Building your Spanish vocabulary?

Get the 100 most common Spanish words as a free PDF — one email, no spam.

Related Words

Explore Spanish by topic

SpanishNow

How to Tell Time in Spanish: A Beginner's Guide

Tell time in Spanish with one formula: es la una vs son las, y and menos for minutes, plus de la mañana, en punto, and 24-hour station times.

June 9, 2026 5 min read

SpanishNow

How to Introduce Yourself in Spanish: 12 Real Phrases

Introduce yourself in Spanish with 12 ready-to-speak phrases — name, origin, age, and job — in both tú and usted, with the verb traps that trip up beginners.

June 9, 2026 5 min read

SpanishNow

Spanish False Friends That Cause Real Embarrassment

Spanish false friends like embarazada and excitado don't mean what you think. Learn the trap words, the right ones to say instead, and how to stop guessing.

June 3, 2026 6 min read

SpanishNow

Mexican Spanish Slang Every Traveler Should Know

Mexican Spanish slang decoded for travelers: what güey, mande, órale, and ahorita really mean, who you can safely say them to, and how rude each one is.

June 9, 2026 6 min read