Study guide
9.2 Home, Housing Types, Furniture & Household Tasks
DELE A2 — Spanish Language Diploma Elementary
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1 Chapter 1: Exam Overview, Format & Scoring Structure
1.1 DELE A2 Identity, Purpose & Nationality Requirements 1.2 Four Pruebas & Official Test Administration 1.3 Scoring System: The 30/50 Group Rules & Pass Criteria
2 Chapter 2: Prueba 1 — Reading Comprehension Tasks & Strategies
2.1 Reading Tarea 1: Personal Correspondence & Informational Texts 2.2 Reading Tarea 2: Notices, Bulletins & Short Announcements 2.3 Reading Tarea 3: Matching Statements to Thematic Texts 2.4 Reading Tarea 4: Long Narrative Text & Changes of Topic
3 Chapter 3: Prueba 2 — Listening Comprehension Tasks & Auditory Techniques
3.1 Listening Tarea 1: Six Short Conversations with Picture Options 3.2 Listening Tarea 2: Radio News, Ads & Programme Extracts 3.3 Listening Tarea 3: One Conversation – Man, Woman or Neither 3.4 Listening Tarea 4: Seven Messages Matched to Ten Statements
4 Chapter 4: Prueba 3 — Written Expression & Interaction
4.1 Writing Tarea 1: Replying to a Personal Message (60–70 Words) 4.2 Writing Tarea 2: Option A (Personal Life) or Option B (Photos/Data) 4.3 The Official Writing Scale, Cohesion & Common Errors
5 Chapter 5: Prueba 4 — Oral Expression & Interaction
5.1 Oral Test Structure, 12-Minute Preparation & Official Scales 5.2 Oral Tarea 1: Prepared Presentation on a Personal Topic 5.3 Oral Tarea 2: Describing a Photograph (Monologue) 5.4 Oral Tarea 3: Simulated Conversation Linked to the Photo
6 Chapter 6: Essential A2 Grammar — Verb Systems & Tenses
6.1 Present Indicative Regulars, Stem-Changers & Irregulars 6.2 Reflexive Verbs & Verbs of Preference (Gustar, Encantar, Doler) 6.3 The Past Tenses: Pretérito Perfecto vs. Pretérito Indefinido 6.4 Pretérito Imperfecto & The Three-Way Past Tense Contrast
7 Chapter 7: Essential A2 Grammar — Syntax, Periphrases & Operators
7.1 Expressing the Future: Ir a + Inf, Present & Simple Future 7.2 Verbal Periphrases of Obligation, Ability & Desire 7.3 Direct & Indirect Object Pronouns and Position Rules 7.4 Affirmative Imperative: Tú & Usted Commands
8 Chapter 8: Foundational Contrasts & Sentence Building
8.1 Ser vs. Estar: Attributes, Locations, States & Gerunds 8.2 Por vs. Para: Causes, Destinations, Deadlines & Exchanges 8.3 Comparatives, Superlatives, Quantifiers & Negatives 8.4 The Noun Phrase: Gender, Articles, Demonstratives, Possessives & Relatives
9 Chapter 9: Thematic Vocabulary — Daily Life, Housing & Surroundings
9.1 Personal Identity, Physical Description & Family Relations 9.2 Home, Housing Types, Furniture & Household Tasks 9.3 City Navigation, Places in Town & Giving Directions
10 Chapter 10: Thematic Vocabulary — Services, Transactions & Health
10.1 Food, Dining Out, Supermarket Shopping & Ordering 10.2 Shopping for Clothes, Sizes, Prices & Commercial Transactions 10.3 Health, Body Parts, Illnesses & Pharmacy Visits 10.4 Work, Professions, Workplace Routines & Job Applications 10.5 Studies, Courses, Phones & Everyday Services
11 Chapter 11: Thematic Vocabulary — Leisure, Travel & Environment
11.1 Free Time, Hobbies, Sports & Entertainment 11.2 Travel, Accommodations, Transport Modes & Bookings 11.3 Weather, Climate, Seasons & Natural Environment
12 Chapter 12: Exam Day Strategy, Time Management & Final Review
12.1 Timing, Answer Sheets & Pacing on Exam Day 12.2 Identifying Distractors, False Friends & Traps 12.3 6-Week Structured Study Plan & High-Yield Checklist
9.2 Home, Housing Types, Furniture & Household Tasks
Key Takeaways Explain This Topic AI
Housing typologies in the Spanish-speaking market clearly differentiate between multi-unit buildings (piso, apartamento, estudio, ático, dúplex) and standalone or semi-detached residential houses (casa adosada, chalet independiente).
Spanish home layouts distinguish between daytime living spaces (salón-comedor), rest areas (dormitorios), sanitary spaces (cuarto de baño, aseo), service areas (cocina, trastero, garaje), and outdoor extensions (terraza, balcón).
Room furnishings and major appliances (electrodomésticos) feature high-frequency items including nevera/frigorífico, lavadora, lavavajillas, microondas, horno, and armario empotrado, crucial for real estate ads and repair dialogues.
Real estate advertisements use key descriptive descriptors (luminoso/oscuro, exterior/interior, céntrico/en las afueras, amueblado) alongside transactional lease terms (alquiler, fianza, gastos de comunidad incluidos, contrato de arrendamiento, casero/inquilino).
Domestic maintenance relies on fixed verb-noun collocations for household chores (hacer la cama, poner la lavadora, pasar la aspiradora, fregar los platos/el suelo, limpiar el polvo, tirar la basura), tested heavily in oral exam routines.
Last updated: September 2026
Quick Summary: Housing is one of the most prominent thematic domains on the DELE A2 exam. It appears in reading (the official model's Tarea 2 includes a room-to-rent advert, and Tarea 3 texts can be adverts), in listening conversations, and in Prueba 4 (talking about where you live). Mastery of property types, architectural layouts, furniture, appliances, rental conditions, and household collocations is critical for scoring Apto .
1. Housing Typologies in Spain and the Hispanic World ( Tipos de Vivienda )
In Spain and across Hispanic cities, housing differs markedly from Anglo-American suburban models. High-density multi-family apartment buildings predominate in urban centers, while detached single-family houses are primarily found in peri-urban residential developments ( urbanizaciones ).
Core Housing Classifications
Housing Type Architectural Characteristics Typical Hispanic Urban Context Sample DELE Listing Extract
Piso Flat or apartment in a multi-story residential building Standard residential dwelling for the vast majority of Spaniards Se alquila piso de tres dormitorios en Chamberí.
Apartamento Smaller apartment (usually 1–2 rooms) Common in coastal tourist destinations or for single occupants Apartamento acogedor cerca de la playa, ideal para una persona.
Estudio Open-plan studio combining bedroom, living area, and kitchenette Popular with students and young professionals in downtown districts Estudio amueblado de 35 m² con cocina americana y baño.
Ático Top-floor penthouse apartment with a dedicated terrace ( terraza ) Highly desirable; often commands higher rent for light and open views Ático de lujo con terraza de 25 m² y vistas despejadas.
Dúplex Two-story apartment linked by internal private stairs Found in modern residential blocks or converted historic buildings Dúplex luminoso: planta baja con salón y planta alta con dormitorios.
Casa adosada Terraced / semi-detached townhouse sharing side walls Suburban family living with small private gardens and communal pool Casa adosada en urbanización tranquila con jardín y piscina.
Chalet (independiente) Detached single-family villa surrounded by private grounds Located on the outskirts ( en las afueras ); features private yard and garage Chalet con parcela independiente de 500 m² y garaje cerrado.
2. Architectural Layout: Rooms and Spatial Divisions ( Las Estancias de la Casa )
Spanish residential architecture divides interior spaces into daytime social zones, nocturnal rest quarters, wet utility rooms, and exterior annexes:
Living and Social Spaces
El salón / cuarto de estar: Living room; the principal daytime social space where families gather to watch television and relax.
El comedor: Dining room; frequently merged with the living room in modern apartments as el salón-comedor .
El recibidor / la entrada / el vestíbulo: Entrance hall or foyer where coats and shoes are left.
El pasillo: Corridor connecting the various rooms of the apartment.
Rest and Private Quarters
El dormitorio / la habitación: Bedroom. Types include:
Dormitorio principal / de matrimonio: Master bedroom with double bed.
Dormitorio individual: Single bedroom with one bed.
Dormitorio de invitados: Guest bedroom.
El cuarto de baño: Full bathroom containing a sink ( lavabo ), toilet ( inodoro / váter ), and either a bathtub ( bañera ) or walk-in shower ( plato de ducha ). In Spain, bathrooms traditionally include a bidet ( bidé ).
El aseo: Small powder room or guest toilet containing only a sink and toilet, without bathing facilities.
Utility and Exterior Annexes
La cocina: Kitchen; equipped with counters ( encimera ), sink ( fregadero ), and food storage cabinets.
La terraza: Spacious open-air outdoor terrace, large enough for an outdoor table and chairs.
El balcón: Smaller projecting outdoor platform, typically accessed through floor-to-ceiling French windows.
El trastero: Private storage room or storage locker, usually located in the basement or attic of an apartment building.
El garaje / la plaza de garaje / el aparcamiento: Parking space or enclosed garage.
El ascensor: Elevator. A critical DELE distractor: advertisements frequently state piso en cuarta planta sin ascensor (walk-up 4th floor) vs. edificio con ascensor .
3. Essential Furnishings and Domestic Appliances ( Muebles y Electrodomésticos )
Candidates must master the spelling, gender, and function of domestic items grouped by room:
Room Furniture ( Muebles ) Appliances ( Electrodomésticos ) & Utensils
El salón Sofá, sillón, mesa de centro, estantería, mueble de televisión, alfombra Televisor / televisión, lámpara de pie, aire acondicionado
La cocina Mesa, sillas, armarios de cocina, encimera Nevera / frigorífico, congelador, lavadora, lavavajillas, horno, microondas, vitrocerámica / cocina de gas, tostadora, cafetera, fregadero
El dormitorio Cama (individual / de matrimonio), mesita de noche, armario empotrado, cómoda, espejo Lámpara de noche, despertador; Ropa de cama: almohada, sábanas, manta, edredón
El baño Armario de baño, toallero, espejo Secador de pelo; Sanitarios: lavabo, inodoro, bañera, ducha, bidé; Toallas
Lexical Note: In Spain, the refrigerator is commonly called el frigorífico or informally la nevera , while in Latin America el refrigerador is widespread. Both are tested on the DELE.
4. Evaluative Housing Adjectives and Classified Ad Terminology ( Adjetivos Inmobiliarios )
In reading tasks you often check rental adverts against a person's needs. Advertisements use concise descriptors that carry precise practical implications:
High-Yield Descriptive Pairs
Luminoso/a vs. Oscuro/a:
Luminoso: Receives generous natural sunlight throughout the day.
Oscuro: Dimly lit, little direct sunlight.
Exterior vs. Interior (Crucial DELE Distinction!):
Exterior: The apartment's principal windows face the public street or open plaza. Benefits: excellent natural lighting and ventilation. Drawback: potential street traffic noise.
Interior: The windows look into an enclosed internal building courtyard ( el patio de luces ). Benefits: sheltered from street traffic noise, quieter. Drawback: limited daylight and reduced views.
Céntrico/a vs. En las afueras / Periférico/a:
Céntrico: Located in the historic or commercial city center; close to metro stations and services.
En las afueras: Located in peripheral or suburban districts; often quieter and more affordable, but requires commuting.
Amueblado/a vs. Sin amueblar (Vacío):
Amueblado: Fully furnished with beds, sofa, dining table, and wardrobes ready for immediate occupancy.
Sin amueblar: Unfurnished; tenant must provide their own furniture (though kitchens usually include basic appliances).
Amplio/a vs. Pequeño/a / Estrecho/a:
Amplio / Espacioso: Generous square footage and open proportions.
Pequeño / Estrecho: Limited square meters or narrow room configurations.
Tranquilo/a vs. Ruidoso/a:
Tranquilo: Quiet neighborhood with minimal disturbance.
Ruidoso: Noisy area with active street traffic, bars, or construction.
Reformado/a vs. Para reformar (Antiguo/a):
Reformado: Recently renovated with modern plumbing, electrical wiring, and fixtures.
Para reformar: Outdated condition requiring significant construction and cosmetic remodeling.
5. Real Estate Transactions and Rental Terms ( El Alquiler y las Transacciones )
When reading lease agreements or rental ads, candidates must recognize the contractual terminology governing tenancy:
El alquiler / la renta: The monthly rent payment ( El alquiler son 850 euros al mes ).
La fianza: The refundable security deposit required by law upon signing the lease (for a home in Spain the legal deposit is one month's rent, and landlords may ask for additional guarantees: Se pide un mes de fianza ).
Los gastos de comunidad: Building homeowners' association (HOA) or maintenance fees covering stairwell cleaning, communal lighting, and elevator maintenance. DELE ads typically specify: Gastos de comunidad incluidos en el precio (fees included) vs. Comunidad no incluida .
Las facturas / Los suministros: Utility bills paid by the tenant: la luz (electricity), el agua (water), el gas (gas), el internet / la fibra óptica (Wi-Fi broadband).
El contrato de arrendamiento / de alquiler: The formal written lease agreement between landlord and tenant.
El casero / la casera / el propietario / la propietaria: The landlord or property owner.
El inquilino / la inquilina / el arrendatario: The tenant leasing the property.
La agencia inmobiliaria: Real estate agency facilitating the rental transaction.
6. Household Chores and Domestic Collocations ( Las Tareas del Hogar )
In Prueba 4 , a presentation topic or a conversation may involve your home, your routine and who does the chores. In Spanish, household chores operate through fixed verb-noun collocations:
- Household Chore (Collocation) English Translation Associated Tool / Location
- Hacer la cama To make the bed Las sábanas, el edredón / en el dormitorio
- Limpiar el polvo To dust the furniture Un trapo / paño, en las estanterías
- Barrer el suelo To sweep the floor La escoba y el recogedor (dustpan)
- Fregar el suelo To mop the floor La fregona y el cubo de fregar
Fregar los platos / fregar la vajilla To wash the dishes by hand El estropajo (sponge), el lavavajillas / fregadero
- Poner / vaciar el lavavajillas To load / empty the dishwasher Los platos, vasos y cubiertos
- Poner la lavadora To run / turn on the washing machine El detergente, el suavizante / la colada
- Tender la ropa To hang the laundry out to dry Las pinzas (clothespins), el tendedero
- Planchar la ropa To iron clothes La plancha y la tabla de planchar
- Pasar la aspiradora To vacuum the floors/carpets La aspiradora / por las alfombras
Poner la mesa / Quitar la mesa To set the table / To clear the table El mantel, los platos, los cubiertos, los vasos
- Tirar / Sacar la basura To take out the trash / recycling El cubo de basura / los contenedores de reciclaje
- Cocinar / Preparar la comida To cook / prepare meals Las sartenes, las ollas / en la cocina
Grammar Note: Notice the difference between fregar ( friego, friegas, friega — stem-changing e > ie) applied to dishes or floors, and lavar (to wash clothes, hands, or hair). You friegas los platos , but you lavas la ropa (or pones la lavadora ).
7. Practical DELE A2 Exam Application: Reading Tarea 3
In Prueba 1 Tarea 3 you match six statements to three short texts. When the texts are three flat adverts, each statement describes a need, for example:
Person A: Needs an apartment near the university with an elevator because of a mobility limitation, with community fees included.
Person B: Wants a pet-friendly suburban house with a garden and private parking.
Person C: Looks for a quiet, furnished top-floor penthouse with outdoor space in the city center.
Strategic Trap Warning: A classified ad may seem ideal because it mentions ático céntrico con gran terraza , but the ad specifies 4.º piso sin ascensor . If Person A requires an elevator, selecting this ad is a distractor trap! Always verify every lexical constraint before finalizing matches.