casa de campo
Lemma Details
Translation: country house; cottage; villa; country home; rural house
Part of Speech: noun
Etymology: Compound noun from 'casa' (house) + 'de' (of) + 'campo' (countryside, field). 'Casa' derives from Latin 'casa' meaning hut or cottage. 'Campo' comes from Latin 'campus' meaning field or plain. The English cognate of 'campo' is 'camp', both sharing the Latin root. The expression literally means 'house of the countryside' and refers to a residence located in a rural setting, away from urban areas.
Commonality: 70%
Guessability: 80%
Register: neutral
Example Usage
Pasamos el fin de semana en nuestra casa de campo.
We spent the weekend at our country house.
Mi abuelo construyó esta casa de campo hace cincuenta años.
My grandfather built this cottage fifty years ago.
Alquilamos una casa de campo para escapar del ruido de la ciudad.
We rented a country house to escape from the noise of the city.
La casa de campo tiene un hermoso jardín con árboles frutales.
The country house has a beautiful garden with fruit trees.
Mnemonics
- Think 'casa' (house) + 'campo' (like 'camp' in English) = a house where you might camp or be close to nature.
- Imagine a house ('casa') sitting in a field ('campo') away from the city.
- Remember 'campo' sounds like 'camp' - both relate to outdoor, rural settings.
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Synonyms
Antonyms
Cultural Context
In Spanish culture, a 'casa de campo' often represents an escape from city life and is associated with relaxation, family gatherings, and connection with nature. In many Spanish-speaking countries, having a casa de campo is a symbol of status and wealth, though they range from modest cottages to luxurious estates. In rural tourism, 'casas rurales' (similar to 'casas de campo') are popular accommodations for travelers seeking authentic countryside experiences.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: While 'casa de campo' refers to any house in the countryside (privately owned), 'casa rural' specifically refers to rural accommodations that can be rented for tourism purposes.
Confused word:
Reservamos una casa rural para nuestras vacaciones en Asturias.
We booked a rural lodging for our vacation in Asturias.
Notes: In practice, the terms are sometimes used interchangeably, especially in casual conversation.
Mnemonic: 'Casa rural' has 'rural' which sounds like 'rental' - think of it as a rental in the countryside.
Explanation: 'Casa de campo' focuses on the house itself, while 'finca' typically refers to a larger property that may include land for agriculture, livestock, or other purposes, often with a house on it.
Confused word:
Compraron una finca con olivos y viñedos.
They bought an estate with olive trees and vineyards.
Notes: In some regions, 'finca' may be used more broadly to refer to any rural property.
Mnemonic: Think of 'finca' as 'fine acreage' - it's about the land, not just the house.