Breakdown of El edificio tiene elevador.
tener
to have
el edificio
the building
el elevador
the elevator (LatAm)
Questions & Answers about El edificio tiene elevador.
Why doesn't it say tiene un elevador? In English, we say "has an elevator."
In Spanish, when you talk about having a standard feature or a general category of item, you often drop the words un or una (a/an). Saying tiene elevador focuses on the fact that the building comes equipped with this feature, rather than counting exactly one elevator. You'll also see this with everyday things, like saying tengo carro (I have a car).
I've also heard the word ascensor. What's the difference between ascensor and elevador?
Both mean "elevator." Elevador is very common in Mexico and several parts of Latin America, while ascensor is widely used in Spain and South America. They are completely interchangeable, but since you are focusing on Latin American Spanish, elevador is a great word to know here.
Is edificio related to the English word "edifice"?
Could I use hay instead of tiene to talk about the elevator?
Yes! El edificio tiene elevador focuses on what the building possesses ("The building has an elevator"). If you wanted to describe where the elevator is using your new prepositions, you'd usually switch to hay (there is/there are) plus a specific location. For example: Hay un elevador al lado de las escaleras (There is an elevator next to the stairs).
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