alquilar
verbIntermediate
What does “alquilar” mean in English?
1.to rent
to rent (a property or vehicle) — alquilar algo
2.to rent
to rent (a property or vehicle) — alquilar algo
3.to rent out
to rent out (as owner) — alquilar algo a alguien
4.to rent out
to rent out (as owner) — alquilar algo a alguien
Example sentences
Llevamos meses buscando un piso para alquilar que sea luminoso y esté bien comunicado con el trabajo.
We've been looking for months for a flat to rent that gets good light and is well connected to work.
Finalmente alquilamos un apartamento amueblado cerca del centro, aunque el alquiler nos sale bastante caro.
We finally rented a furnished apartment near the centre, although the rent works out quite expensive.
El propietario no quiso alquilárnoslo porque teníamos una mascota en el piso anterior.
The owner didn't want to rent it to us because we had had a pet in the previous flat.
How to use it
Alquilar means 'to rent' and is always transitive — it takes a direct object (the property). The key pattern is alquilar + something (alquilar un piso, alquilar un coche). At B1 it commonly occurs in the infinitive after verbs of intention (queremos alquilar, buscamos alquilar) and in the present/preterite when narrating housing decisions. Separate it clearly from the noun alquiler (the rent / the rental itself).
Common mistake
English 'rent' is ambiguous — you rent from a landlord and a landlord rents to a tenant. In Spanish alquilar covers both directions but context clarifies. 'Alquilamos un piso' = we rented a flat (as tenants). If you want to say 'the landlord rents out the flat', say 'el propietario alquila el piso'.
Topics
Related Intermediate words
Reference
This entry’s teaching guidance follows Plan Curricular del Instituto Cervantes (Instituto Cervantes), B1 Nociones especificas.