A great recommendation for all those who work in the architect industry would be to learn a new language. More specifically Spanish. Not only is Spanish one of the most spoken languages globally, but it’s also a very important language for business.
So if you’re just studying the career right now, there’s no better time to start adding bilingual skills.
And if you’re already a professional, it’s never too late to learn something new. Especially if it’ll give a boost to your career.
But beyond learning general Spanish, you also need to learn some architecture terms in Spanish. So to help you in your language journey, here’s some Spanish for architects.
Why Learn Spanish for Architecture?
Amazing architecture in Hispanic countries
Let’s start by saying you can find amazing architecture in many Spanish speaking countries.
As a professional architect, you probably already know the architectural Hispanic styles or are learning about it. As well as the important architectural sites in different Hispanic countries, which have become part of their culture.
Learning Spanish is an amazing opportunity for you to immerse even more in this part of their art and understand it fully.
There are great Hispanic architects
Just like it happens in other countries and languages, the Spanish language also has great architects. Many who have great work and have left their hallmark in the architectural industry.
From Mexico to Chile to Argentina to Puerto Rico to Spain, and from the past to modern days. There are some Spanish-speaking architects you must know.
Knowing Spanish will allow you to know more about their work and background. And if you ever get to meet one, it’ll also help you hold a conversation in Spanish with them! This will be very enriching for you.
Do business and enhance communication
Learning Spanish and focusing on learning architecture jargon will also help you in the business side of the industry.
You’ll be able to communicate more effectively with Hispanic business partners, experts in the area, expat employees, and clients. As well as with Spanish-speaking professionals from other industries that have to team up with architects, like construction workers or interior designers.
If you become fluent in Spanish, you take less risks of confusion or misunderstandings in a Spanish-speaking environment. Communication will be more effective than ever!
And even though with many business partners and other professionals you can speak English, if they’re Hispanic, they’ll be happy that you speak Spanish too. Not only will they be impressed but they’ll also feel like you truly care.
Improve resume and grow your career
If you add Spanish as a skill in your resume, you have more chances of growing in your career. Nowadays, bilingualism is necessary in all industries; bilingualism is a strong suit.
For example: It could be a determined factor to get your dream job or a better job. Spanish skills could also help you get a pay raise. Or maybe even give a conference in Spanish speaking countries about your area of expertise in the architecture business.
36 Architecture Terms in Spanish
Like it happens in other work industries, architecture also has some terms and specific jargon they use a lot. So, it’s a must that you learn them in your second language.
To help you, here are some Spanish words related to architecture:
- Architecture – Arquitectura
- Architect – Arquitecto
- Plan – Plano
- Construction – Construción
- Design – Diseño
- Math – Matemáticas
- Geometry – Geometría
- Buildings – Edificios
- Space – Espacio
- Void – Vacío
- Material – Material
- Diagram – Diagrama
- Architectural plans – Planos arquitectónicos
- Parametric – Paramétrico
- Façade – Fachada
- Columns – Columnas
- Pillars – Pilares
- Cornice – Cornisa
- Portico – Pórtico
- Spatiality – Espacialidad
- Volume – Volúmen
- Area – Área
- Elevation – Elevación
- Coating – Revestimiento
- Structures – Estructuras
- Parapet – Parapeto
- Bracket – Ménsula
- Cantilever – Voladizo / Viga cantilever
- Mullion – Parteluz
- Bridges – Puentes
- Frame – Armazón
- Buttress – Contrafuerte
- Pediment – Frontón
- Scale – Escala
- Fenestration – Fenestración
- Anthropometry – Antropometría
12 Architectural Styles in Spanish
There are many different styles of architecture. This means you can specialize in a specific one. And make your work highlight that type or style of architecture. Kind of like your hallmark as an architect. Or maybe you prefer to work with different styles of architecture.
Whatever the case, it’ll always help you to know the names of different architectural styles. So here are some of their names in Spanish:
- Classical Architecture – Arquitectura clásica
- Romanesque architecture – Arquitectura románica
- Gothic architecture – Arquitectura gótica
- Renaissance architecture – Arquitectura renacentista
- Baroque architecture – Arquitectura barroca
- Neoclassical architecture – Arquitectura neoclásica
- Art Déco architecture – Arquitectura Art Déco
- Modern architecture – Arquitectura moderna
- Postmodern architecture – Arquitectura Posmoderna
- Neo-Futurism architecture – Arquitectura neo-futurista
- Deconstructivist architecture – Arquitectura deconstructivista
- Industrial architecture – Arquitectura industrial
12 Architecture Jobs in Spanish
An architect has to work with different people doing different roles to make the vision of the architect come true. That’s why it’s so important you know the jobs and roles of the different workers you’ll work with.
To help you out here are the Spanish names of different jobs that go hand in hand with architecture. We’re sure you’ll meet some people in these jobs throughout your career:
- Construction manager – Jefe de obra
- Mason – Albañil
- Engineer – Ingeniero
- Urban planner – Urbanista
- Painters – Pintores
- Carpinter – Carpintero
- Plumber – Fontanero
- Agrimensor – Surveyor
- Roofer – Techador
- Demolition worker – Operario de derribos
- Interior designer – Diseñador de interiores
- Scenographer – Escenógrafo
13 Spanish Verbs for Architecture
Just like it happens with jargon, there are some verbs that are highly used in architecture and its related fields. So here are some of these architectural verbs in Spanish:
- To build – Construir
- To design – Diseñar
- To remodel – Remodelar
- To draw – Dibujar
- To measure – Medir
- To plan – Planear
- To fix – Reparar / Arreglar
- To lift / To raise – Levantar
- To distribute – Distribuir
- To enlarge / to extend / to increase – Ampliar
- To transform – Transformar
- To systematize – Sistematizar
- To analyze – Analizar
Tips to Truly Learn Spanish Vocabulary for Architecture
Sitting down to memorize a list of words is not always the best option. It can get boring, tedious, and you might still feel like you don’t know how to apply the words in a real-life scenario.
So here are some tips that will make learning vocabulary more fun:
Check out conferences
You can look up on YouTube for interviews and conferences from Hispanic architects. It’s even better, if they’re interviews from your favorite Spanish speaking architects. Because the more you like a topic, the more you’ll enjoy learning.
If you don’t know many architects from Spanish speaking countries, you can simply look up on the internet for the most recognized ones.
By watching and hearing them speak about architecture, you’ll acquire tons of words and phrases important for this industry.
At first, it will be a bit difficult. This is because you’re not used to the speed in which they talk, nor the vocabulary, nor the pronunciation and accents. Help yourself by slowing down the speed of the video or adding Spanish subtitles.
As you can imagine, in an interview or a conference, the words are used within an architectural context. That means that you’ll also learn how and when to use them.
Plus, you’ll also learn the correct pronunciation.
Read in Spanish
Here’s another tip where you’ll learn vocabulary in context.
As a professional, you probably already read tons of articles about architecture. As well as news to keep you up-to-date and even books on architecture. After all, there’s always something else you can learn to keep improving.
Well, keep doing that…but in Spanish! Try to read articles, blogs, news, books, magazines, and anything you find about architecture in Spanish.
This will allow you to keep learning about your job while also acquiring vocabulary.
If it’s too difficult at first, try to start by reading a small article. Gradually, start reading bigger and more complicated texts.
One word a day
Don’t overwhelm yourself by trying to learn all the words at once. Pick one Spanish word a day and try to use it as many times as you find possible throughout the whole day. Of course, make sure it applies correctly to the moment where you choose to use it. Otherwise, it’ll sound weird, and you can confuse others and yourself.
Maybe you’re in a Spanish business meeting, where you can use the word.
Or you have a Hispanic coworker that will gladly hold a Spanish business conversation with you.
Or maybe you’re traveling with your family in a Spanish speaking country. So you can teach them a bit about some of the architecture there while using some words in Spanish.
If you find it too easy, you can pick two or maybe three words a day. Just make sure it’s not a lot, so you can actually practice using all of them during the whole day.
The next day, pick another word, and so on.
Become Fluent in Spanish with Fluency Corp!
If you and your work team have decided on learning Spanish for your career in architecture, you have to ask yourself: How can I become fluent in Spanish? This might be an overwhelming question, but it’s a necessary one.
You just took the first step by reading this blog and learning the Spanish vocabulary about architecture shown here. It’s time to move even more forward. But don’t get too stressed. We have the solution: Fluency Corp corporate language classes!
All our classes are for you and all your employees, or the ones that need it. The best is that the lessons are completely customized to the job and your language needs.
So, tell us what you and your team need. Is it accent training? Or maybe vocabulary for a business meeting? Or is it better communication among your multilingual employees? Whatever it is, we can help!
On top of that, our lessons are based on the Bellieu Method created by our founder and language expert, Micah Bellieu. This method consists of encouraging students to speak in their target language using all they’ve learned so far. This way, you’ll achieve Spanish fluency!
Oh, and in case you want your work team to become polyglots, we offer classes for more than 10 languages!
Just pick between our online or onsite classes. Then, contact us for a free consultation!
