Spanish · Home, Clothes & Daily Life

"Stairs" in Spanish: escalera

la escalera

Say it: ehs-kah-LEH-rahfeminine · la escaleranoun/es.kaˈle.ɾa/

Stairs are la escalera (ehs-kah-LEH-rah). It is feminine. Subir la escalera means to go up the stairs.

Giving directions at home

El baño está arriba, por la escalera.
The bathroom is upstairs, by the stairs.
Practice Spanish out loud

Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free

How to pronounce escalera

Say it

ehs-kah-LEH-rah

/es.kaˈle.ɾa/

Four syllables: ehs-kah-LEH-rah. Stress LEH. Soft s sounds.

"Stairs" in Spanish: quick reference

SpanishEnglish
la escalerastairs / staircase / ladder

Stairs at home; also a ladder in other contexts.

subir la escalerato go up the stairs

Moving to an upper floor.

bajar la escalerato go down the stairs

Coming downstairs.

las escalerasthe stairs

Plural form also common for a staircase.

How to use escalera in real life

  1. 1Giving directions at home

    El baño está arriba, por la escalera.

    The bathroom is upstairs, by the stairs.

    Por la escalera points to the staircase.

  2. 2Warning a guest

    Cuidado con la escalera mojada.

    Careful with the wet stairs.

    La escalera is feminine.

  3. 3Carrying bags

    Subo las bolsas por la escalera.

    I'm taking the bags up the stairs.

    Por la escalera is a clear path phrase.

Mistakes English speakers make with escalera

Incorrect: El escalera es empinada.

Correct: La escalera es empinada.

Escalera is feminine. Say la escalera.

Incorrect: Subo por las stairs.

Correct: Subo por la escalera.

Use escalera, not English stairs.

Good to know

Escalera covers stairs and, in other contexts, a ladder. At home, arriba por la escalera is a common direction. Escaleras (plural) also works for a staircase.

Try it in a ChatPal conversation

Showing a guest upstairs

  1. ChatPal

    Tu cuarto está arriba, por la escalera.

    Your room is upstairs, by the stairs.

  2. You

    ¿La escalera es segura?

    Are the stairs safe?

  3. ChatPal

    Sí. Suban despacio.

    Yes. Go up slowly.

  4. You

    Gracias. Voy con la maleta.

    Thanks. I'll go with the suitcase.

This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.

Practice this conversation in ChatPal

"Stairs" in other languages

FAQ

Common questions about "Stairs" in Spanish

Is escalera masculine or feminine?

Feminine: la escalera, unas escaleras.

Can escalera mean ladder?

Yes, in other contexts. At home it often means stairs.

How do you pronounce escalera?

ehs-kah-LEH-rah. Stress LEH.

How do I say go up the stairs?

Subir la escalera, or subir por la escalera.

Learn a word, then use it out loud

  1. Step 1: See it in context
  2. Step 2: Say it out loud
  3. Step 3: Get feedback
  4. Step 4: Use it in real scenarios

Keep reading

Ready to say it out loud?

ChatPal is a voice-first app for practicing real conversations in Spanish. Try real scenarios and get personalized feedback on your speaking.

Start with 7 days free.