Alquilar in English: Meaning, Uses, Examples, and Common Mistakes

TL;DR

“Alquilar” in English usually means “to rent.”
It can also mean “to hire” in British English, especially for cars, equipment, or services.
Use “rent” when paying to use something, and “rent out” or “let” when the owner allows someone else to use it for money.

The quick answer: what does “alquilar” mean in English?

The Spanish verb “alquilar” most commonly translates into English as “to rent.”

In everyday English, to rent means to pay money to use something temporarily, such as an apartment, house, room, car, bicycle, office, or piece of equipment.

Examples:

• Quiero alquilar un piso.
  I want to rent an apartment.

• Alquilamos un coche en Madrid.
  We rented a car in Madrid.

• Ella alquila una habitación cerca de la universidad.
  She rents a room near the university.

However, “alquilar” can change in English depending on who is doing the action:

• The person who pays to use something rents it.
• The owner who receives money rents it out.
• In British English, the owner may also let a property.

So, “alquilar una casa” can be:

• to rent a house, if the tenant is paying to live there
• to rent out a house, if the owner is offering it to tenants
• to let a house, mainly in British English, if the owner is making it available

This article explains how to use “alquilar in English” correctly, with practical examples for housing, travel, business, and everyday conversation.

“Alquilar” in English: the main translations

The best English translation depends on context. Spanish often uses “alquilar” for both sides of the rental relationship, but English usually separates the renter’s action from the owner’s action.

Spanish	English	Best context
alquilar	to rent	General use, especially American English
alquilar	to hire	British English, often for cars, bikes, equipment
alquilar algo a alguien	to rent something to someone	Owner gives temporary use
alquilar una propiedad	to rent a property	Tenant’s action
alquilar una propiedad	to rent out a property	Owner’s action
poner en alquiler	to put up for rent	Make available to renters
alquilar una vivienda	to let a property	British English, owner’s action

The safest general translation is “to rent.” If context is unclear, “rent” is usually understood in both American and British English.

“To rent” vs “to rent out”: the key difference

Spanish speakers often ask why English uses “rent” and “rent out.” The difference is simple:

1. To rent

To rent usually means the person pays to use something.

Examples:

• They rented an apartment downtown.
• He rents a small office for his business.
• She rented a dress for the wedding.
• The family rented a car at the airport.

Spanish equivalents:

• Alquilaron un apartamento en el centro.
• Él alquila una oficina pequeña para su negocio.
• Ella alquiló un vestido para la boda.
• La familia alquiló un coche en el aeropuerto.

2. To rent out

To rent out means the owner allows someone else to use something temporarily in exchange for money.

Examples:

• They rent out their apartment during the summer.
• He rents out bikes to tourists.
• The company rents out equipment for events.
• She rented out her spare room to a student.

Spanish equivalents:

• Alquilan su apartamento durante el verano.
• Él alquila bicicletas a turistas.
• La empresa alquila equipos para eventos.
• Ella alquiló su habitación libre a un estudiante.

A useful rule:

• Tenant or customer: rent
• Owner or provider: rent out

American English and British English: “rent” or “hire”?

The verb “rent” is widely used in American English and is also common in British English. However, British English often uses “hire” in contexts where American English would use “rent.”

American English

• rent a car
• rent an apartment
• rent a bike
• rent equipment

British English

• hire a car
• rent a flat
• hire a bike
• hire equipment

For housing, British English usually uses “rent” when the tenant pays to live somewhere:

• She rents a flat in London.

For cars or tools, British English commonly uses “hire”:

• They hired a car for the weekend.
• He hired a ladder from a local shop.

For American English, “hire” usually means to employ a person:

• The company hired a new manager.
• They hired a tutor.

This is important because “alquilar un coche” may be translated differently depending on the audience:

• American English: rent a car
• British English: hire a car

Both are correct, but the regional preference matters.

“Alquilar” for housing: apartment, house, room, office

Housing is one of the most common situations where Spanish speakers need “alquilar” in English.

Renting as the tenant

If someone pays to live in a place, English uses rent.

Examples:

• I rent an apartment near the city center.
• He rents a room in a shared house.
• They rented a house by the beach.
• She is looking to rent a studio flat.

Spanish:

• Alquilo un apartamento cerca del centro.
• Él alquila una habitación en una casa compartida.
• Alquilaron una casa junto a la playa.
• Ella busca alquilar un estudio.

Renting out as the owner

If the owner offers the property to tenants, English uses rent out or, in British English, let.

Examples:

• They rent out their house on weekends.
• The landlord rents out several apartments.
• The agency lets flats in central Manchester.
• She wants to rent out her spare room.

Spanish:

• Alquilan su casa los fines de semana.
• El propietario alquila varios apartamentos.
• La agencia alquila pisos en el centro de Manchester.
• Ella quiere alquilar su habitación libre.

Key housing vocabulary

English	Meaning
rent	money paid regularly to use a home
landlord	owner who rents out property
tenant	person who rents the property
lease	formal rental contract, common in US English
tenancy agreement	rental contract, common in British English
deposit	money paid in advance as security
utilities	services like electricity, water, gas, internet
furnished	with furniture
unfurnished	without furniture

Examples:

• The rent is €900 per month.
• The landlord asked for a two-month deposit.
• The apartment is fully furnished.
• Utilities are not included in the rent.

“Alquilar” for cars, bikes, and travel

In travel situations, “alquilar” often means rent or hire, depending on the variety of English.

Examples:

• We rented a car at the airport.
  Common in American English and understood everywhere.

• We hired a car at the airport.
  Common in British English.

• They rented bikes to explore the city.

• She rented a scooter for two days.

• He rented a van to move house.

Useful travel phrases:

• Where can I rent a car?
• How much does it cost to rent a bike for the day?
• Is insurance included?
• Do I need a deposit?
• Can I return the car at another location?

Spanish speakers should be careful with the noun “rent” in these contexts. In English, a company may be called a rental company, not usually a “rent company.”

Better phrases:

• car rental company
• bike rental shop
• equipment rental service
• vacation rental
• rental agreement

“Alquilar” for equipment, clothing, and venues

“Alquilar” also applies to temporary use of things other than homes or vehicles.

Examples:

• The company rented sound equipment for the conference.
• They rented chairs and tables for the wedding.
• She rented a dress for the gala.
• He rented a camera for the weekend.
• The school rented a hall for the ceremony.

If the provider is the subject, use rent out:

• The shop rents out cameras and lenses.
• The venue rents out rooms for private events.
• The company rents out sound systems.

In British English, hire is also common:

• They hired a hall for the event.
• She hired a dress for the evening.
• He hired camera equipment for the shoot.

“Alquilar” vs “rentar”: do they mean the same thing?

In many Spanish-speaking countries, especially in parts of Latin America, “rentar” is used in a similar way to “alquilar.” Both can mean to rent.

Examples:

• Voy a alquilar un apartamento.
• Voy a rentar un apartamento.

Both may be translated as:

• I’m going to rent an apartment.

However, usage varies by country. In Spain, “alquilar” is more standard. In some Latin American countries, “rentar” is common in everyday speech. English does not need to reflect this regional difference. In most cases, both translate as “to rent.”

Learners comparing Spanish verbs may also find it useful to study related practical verbs, such as pagar in english and trabajar in english, because renting often appears in real-life contexts involving payments, jobs, contracts, and housing.

Common phrases with “alquilar” in English

Here are practical translations that sound natural.

Housing

• alquilar un piso
  to rent an apartment, to rent a flat

• alquilar una casa
  to rent a house

• alquilar una habitación
  to rent a room

• alquilar un estudio
  to rent a studio apartment, to rent a studio flat

• alquilar una oficina
  to rent an office

• alquilar un local comercial
  to rent commercial premises, to rent a retail space

Owner’s perspective

• alquilar mi casa a turistas
  to rent out my house to tourists

• alquilar una habitación a un estudiante
  to rent out a room to a student

• poner un apartamento en alquiler
  to put an apartment up for rent

• tener una casa en alquiler
  to have a house for rent

Travel and transport

• alquilar un coche
  to rent a car, US and general English
  to hire a car, UK English

• alquilar una moto
  to rent a motorcycle, to hire a motorbike

• alquilar una bicicleta
  to rent a bike, to hire a bike

• alquilar una furgoneta
  to rent a van, to hire a van

Events and services

• alquilar una sala
  to rent a room, to hire a room

• alquilar un local para una fiesta
  to rent a venue for a party, to hire a venue for a party

• alquilar equipo de sonido
  to rent sound equipment, to hire sound equipment

• alquilar mesas y sillas
  to rent tables and chairs, to hire tables and chairs

Conjugating “to rent” in English

English conjugation is much simpler than Spanish conjugation. The verb “to rent” follows a regular pattern.

Tense	Example
infinitive	to rent
present simple	I rent, she rents
past simple	rented
present continuous	am renting, is renting
future	will rent, going to rent
present perfect	have rented, has rented

Examples:

• I rent an apartment.
• She rents a room near campus.
• They rented a car last week.
• He is renting an office this year.
• The company will rent a larger space.
• They have rented the same house for five years.

For the owner’s perspective:

• They rent out apartments.
• She rented out her house last summer.
• He is renting out his garage as storage space.

Nouns related to “alquilar”: rent, rental, renter, tenant

Spanish speakers often need more than the verb. These nouns are essential.

Rent

Rent is the money paid to use a home, office, or other property.

• The rent is due on the first day of the month.
• They increased the rent by 5%.
• How much is the rent?

Rental

Rental can describe something available to rent, or the act of renting.

• This is a rental car.
• They live in a rental apartment.
• The rental agreement is for one year.
• Vacation rentals are popular in summer.

Renter

A renter is a person who rents something. It is common in American English.

• The renter must return the car with a full tank.
• Renters should read the agreement carefully.

Tenant

A tenant is someone who rents a home, apartment, office, or commercial property.

• The tenant pays rent every month.
• The landlord and tenant signed the lease.

Landlord

A landlord is the property owner who rents out a place.

• The landlord repaired the heating.
• The landlord requires a deposit.

Common mistakes Spanish speakers make with “alquilar”

Mistake 1: Using “rent” when “rent out” is needed

Incorrect:

• I rent my apartment to tourists every summer.

This can be understood, but it may sound ambiguous. Better:

• I rent out my apartment to tourists every summer.

Mistake 2: Translating “alquiler” as “the renting” too often

Spanish “alquiler” often translates as “rent” or “rental,” not always “renting.”

Natural:

• The rent is expensive.
• The rental agreement is clear.
• Car rental is cheaper online.

Less natural:

• The renting is expensive.

Mistake 3: Confusing “hire” and “rent” in American English

In American English, hire usually means employ a person.

• They hired a teacher.
• The company hired an accountant.

For objects, American English normally uses rent:

• They rented a car.
• She rented a dress.

Mistake 4: Saying “rent a person”

A person is not usually “rented” in English. A person is hired, employed, booked, or contracted, depending on the context.

Correct:

• They hired a lawyer.
• She booked a photographer.
• The company contracted a consultant.

Mistake 5: Confusing “borrow” and “rent”

Borrow means to use something temporarily without paying, or sometimes with informal permission. Rent means to pay for temporary use.

• I borrowed my friend’s bike.
  No payment, usually personal.

• I rented a bike from a shop.
  Payment to a business.

Real-life examples: “alquilar” in English conversations

Renting an apartment

A: Are you still living with your parents?
B: No, I rent a small apartment near the station.
A: Is the rent high?
B: It’s reasonable, but utilities are not included.

Renting out a room

A: Do you live alone?
B: Yes, but I rent out my spare room during the summer.
A: To tourists?
B: Mostly to language students.

Renting a car

A: How are you getting to the coast?
B: We’re going to rent a car.
A: Did you check the insurance?
B: Yes, basic insurance is included.

Hiring a car in British English

A: How are you travelling around Scotland?
B: We’re hiring a car for a week.
A: That sounds practical.
B: Yes, it gives us more flexibility.

Pronunciation of “rent” and “rental”

Spanish speakers may find “rent” short but slightly tricky because of the final consonant cluster.

• rent sounds like /rent/
• rented sounds like /ˈrentɪd/
• rental sounds like /ˈrentəl/

The r is pronounced in most American accents. In many British accents, the final r in words may be weaker or absent when not followed by a vowel, but rent starts with r, so the initial sound is still pronounced.

Good practice sentences:

• The rent is due today.
• They rented a car.
• This is a rental agreement.
• She rents out a room.

For learners who want a structured level reference, the Council of Europe’s Common European Framework of Reference for Languages describes language ability across levels from A1 to C2, including practical communication skills such as handling everyday transactions and discussing housing, travel, and work.

How to choose the right English translation of “alquilar”

A simple decision process helps:

Step 1: Is the subject paying to use something?

Use rent.

• She rents an apartment.
• They rented a car.
• He rents a desk in a coworking space.

Step 2: Is the subject the owner or provider?

Use rent out.

• She rents out her apartment.
• They rent out bicycles.
• The company rents out event equipment.

Step 3: Is the audience British and the object a car, bike, tool, or venue?

Use hire if it sounds natural for the context.

• They hired a car.
• He hired a bike.
• The company hired a venue.

Step 4: Is the context British property language?

Use rent for the tenant and let for the owner or agent.

• She rents a flat.
• The agency lets flats.
• There is a room to let.

Useful sentence patterns with “rent”

Spanish speakers can build many natural sentences with these patterns.

Pattern 1: rent + object

• They rent an apartment.
• She rents a car every summer.
• He rented a suit for the ceremony.

Pattern 2: rent + object + from + provider

• They rented a car from a local company.
• She rented a dress from an online store.
• He rented equipment from a supplier.

Pattern 3: rent out + object + to + person

• They rent out rooms to students.
• She rented out her apartment to a family.
• The company rents out tools to builders.

Pattern 4: be available for rent

• The apartment is available for rent.
• The office is available for rent from June.
• Several bikes are available for rent near the station.

Pattern 5: looking to rent

• They are looking to rent a house.
• She is looking to rent a room.
• The business is looking to rent a larger office.

“Alquilar” in business and professional English

In business English, rent is used for offices, coworking spaces, warehouses, vehicles, and equipment.

Examples:

• The startup rents a small office in the city.
• The company rented extra storage space.
• They rent delivery vans during peak season.
• The team rented a conference room for the meeting.

More formal alternatives include:

• lease
• charter
• book
• reserve

Rent vs lease

A lease is usually a formal contract for a longer period. The verb to lease can be used for property, vehicles, and equipment.

• The company leases office space.
• They signed a three-year lease.
• She leased a car for 24 months.

In everyday speech, rent is more common. In legal or business contexts, lease may be more precise.

Rent vs book

Use book or reserve when the focus is making a reservation.

• They booked a meeting room.
• She reserved a vacation rental.

Use rent when the focus is paying to use the item or space.

• They rented a meeting room for the day.

Mini translation guide: Spanish to natural English

Spanish sentence	Natural English
Quiero alquilar un apartamento.	I want to rent an apartment.
¿Cuánto cuesta alquilar un coche?	How much does it cost to rent a car?
Alquilamos una casa en la playa.	We rented a house on the beach.
Ella alquila su habitación a estudiantes.	She rents out her room to students.
La oficina está en alquiler.	The office is for rent.
El propietario alquila tres pisos.	The landlord rents out three apartments.
Necesitamos alquilar equipo para el evento.	The team needs to rent equipment for the event.
En Londres alquila un piso pequeño.	He rents a small flat in London.
Pusieron la casa en alquiler.	They put the house up for rent.
La agencia alquila coches.	The agency rents out cars.

FAQ: “alquilar in English”

1. What is the best translation of “alquilar” in English?

The best general translation is “to rent.” For example, “Quiero alquilar un apartamento” means “I want to rent an apartment.”

2. What is the difference between “rent” and “rent out”?

Rent usually describes the person paying to use something. Rent out describes the owner or provider offering something for money. A tenant rents an apartment. A landlord rents out an apartment.

3. Is “hire” the same as “alquilar”?

Sometimes. In British English, hire can mean alquilar, especially for cars, bikes, tools, clothing, or venues. In American English, hire usually means employing a person.

4. How does “alquiler” translate into English?

Alquiler can be rent or rental, depending on context. El alquiler es caro means “The rent is expensive.” Alquiler de coches means “car rental.”

5. Can “alquilar” mean both renting and renting out?

Yes. Spanish uses “alquilar” for both sides of the situation. English often distinguishes them: the customer rents something, while the owner rents it out.

Learn practical English with Kadensy

Learners who want to use words like rent, rent out, hire, lease, and deposit confidently can use Kadensy to find tutors through marketplace browsing and tutor-bio search at /tutors. Tutor profiles can help learners look for high proficiency, ideally with housing, travel, business, or exam-preparation experience.

Kadensy offers four credit packs, Starter 60, Regular 120, Plus 300, and Pro 600 credits, available in EUR or USD. Credits never expire. The platform commission baseline is 20%.

Visit Kadensy to browse tutors and build practical English for real conversations, contracts, travel, work, and everyday life.