Cômodo Da Casa Em Inglês

How rooms are actually named in English

Learning cômodo da casa em inglês sounds simple until you try to explain it to someone who needs practical vocabulary. The direct translation is "room of the house," but nobody uses that phrase in real conversation. You need the actual terms people say when they're giving directions, describing a property, or talking about where things are located. Living room — sala de estar. This is the most common American term. Brits will say "lounge" or just "living room," but don't confuse it with a formal sitting room. In many houses, this is where the TV is and people actually hang out. Bedroom — quarto. Straightforward. You add "master bedroom" for the main one, which in real estate listings means the biggest bedroom with an attached bathroom. In practice, younger buyers just call it "the main bedroom" now because "master" has dropped out of usage in some markets.

Kitchen — cozinha. No surprises here. But pay attention to the kitchenette, which is a small cooking area, usually in a studio apartment or hotel room. It's not a full kitchen. If you're looking at an apartment listing and it says "kitchenette," don't expect a stove with an oven. Usually just a microwave and a small two-burner cooktop. Dining room — sala de jantar. Separate from the kitchen in most American homes, though open-concept layouts have blurred this line considerably. In Britain, the "dining room" is often a formal space that nobody uses except at Christmas. More common in modern British houses is just a kitchen with a dining table inside it, called a "dining area" or "breakfast nook."

cômodo da casa em inglês: the ones people mess up

Here's where it gets messy. Bathroom isn't just any room with a toilet. In American English, a "bathroom" contains at minimum a toilet and a sink, and usually a shower or tub. A half-bath or powder room — just a toilet and sink, no shower — is called exactly that. Don't call a half-bath a "bathroom" if you want to be precise, because someone might show up expecting to take a shower. Laundry room — quarto de lavanderia. Many American homes have a dedicated laundry room. Most European apartments don't. If you're translating a property listing and the source says "lavanderia," check if there's actually a separate room or just a washer and dryer tucked into the kitchen. The word matters in listings. I ran into this exact problem a few years ago when I was helping someone translate a real estate document. The original Portuguese said the house had "um cômodo para máquina de lavar." I initially translated it as "laundry room," but when we checked the photos, it was literally just a closet with a washing machine and a utility sink — no proper room at all. Calling it a "laundry closet" or "laundry area" was more accurate and didn't mislead the buyer.

Less common rooms and what they actually mean

Guest room — quarto de hóspedes. A bedroom designated for visitors. In many homes, this doubles as a home office, which is worth noting in any description. Den — studies varies, but usually a smaller, more informal room than the living room. Often used as a home office or reading room. Not every house has one, and some regions use "family room" interchangeably. Family room — sala familiar. Similar to a living room but usually smaller and more casual. It's the room closer to the kitchen where the family actually spends time, as opposed to the formal living room that stays closed off most of the year.

Basement — porão. In American English this can mean anything from a fully finished recreational space to a raw storage area with exposed concrete floors. The condition matters enormously for value. A finished basement with a bathroom and egress windows is a major selling point. An unfinished basement with damp smells is a liability. Attic — sótão or mezzanino. Usually storage space unless it's been converted. If someone says "finished attic," treat that with skepticism until you verify the ceiling height and insulation. Many finished attics are uncomfortable in summer and freezing in winter. Pantry — despensa. A small closet or room for food storage. Walk-in pantries are common in newer American kitchens. In older homes or British properties, you might just find a tall cupboard. Neither is wrong, but they signal different budgets and eras of construction.

What most translation tools get wrong

Google Translate will give you "room of the house" for cômodo da casa. That's technically correct and completely useless. The real issue is that Portuguese has regional variations that don't map cleanly onto English. A "salão" in Brazilian Portuguese might be a living room, but in European Portuguese it could mean a formal reception room. Context determines the right word. Another trap: "sacada" in Portuguese. Most tools translate it as "balcony," but a sacada is usually just a narrow ledge-like opening, sometimes just a railing along a window. A true balcony projects outward from the building. If you're writing a listing and the "sacada" is barely wide enough to stand on, calling it a "balcony" in English will get people confused when they see the photos. The term "varanda" is yet another minefield. In Brazil it usually means a covered porch or veranda. In Portugal it can mean a balcony. Don't assume the English equivalent based on the language variety alone. Check what the space actually is before you label it.

Quick reference that actually works

Living room — sala de estar Bedroom — quarto Kitchen — cozinha

Dining room — sala de jantar Bathroom — banheiro Laundry room — quarto de lavanderia

Guest room — quarto de hóspedes Basement — porão Attic — sótão

Pantry — despensa Office — escritório Garage — garagem

Porch — varanda Garden — jardim If you need a deeper list for a specific purpose like real estate translation or interior design work, the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors has standardized terminology that covers edge cases these basics miss. But for everyday use, the list above covers roughly ninety percent of what you'll encounter.