andares

Andares is a term with multiple uses in Spanish, functioning both as a common noun in certain dialects and as a proper name in various regions. In architectural and real estate contexts, andares can denote floors, levels, or stories of a building. The exact meaning varies by country, but a phrase such as “un edificio de tres andares” is commonly understood to mean a three-story building. In everyday speech, piso or planta is often used for floor, while andares may appear in more informal or regional usage to emphasize the vertical divisions of a structure or the progression between levels.

Beyond its architectural sense, andares appears as a proper noun in place names and as a brand or organizational name in Spanish-speaking areas. It can designate neighborhoods, districts, or landmarks, and may be adopted by businesses or institutions for branding purposes. In some cases, andares is also encountered as a surname, though it is relatively uncommon.

Origin and use: andares derives from the verb andar (to walk or to go) in its nominalized form, with the plural indicating multiple levels or stages. In modern Spanish, using andares to mean floors is regional and informal, while more formal architectural vocabulary tends to use piso or planta. The term also travels into toponymy and branding, where it takes on specialized or symbolic meanings tied to height, progression, or accessibility.

See also: andar, piso, planta.