Essential English for Architecture & Career Success

Part 1: Professional & Personal English Vocabulary

Adjectives for Personal & Professional Traits

  • ActiveActivo
  • Computer SavvyExperto en (ordenadores)
  • DiscreetDiscreto
  • HonestHonesto
  • Passionate AboutApasionado de
  • Self-ConfidentCon confianza en sí mismo
  • AdaptableFlexible
  • Conscientious, Thorough, MethodicalMeticuloso
  • DynamicDinámico
  • IndependentIndependiente
  • InnovativeInnovador
  • PersistentPersistente
  • TenaciousTenaz, Firme
  • Analytical, Analytic Analítico
  • CooperativeColaborador
  • EfficientEficiente
  • Keen OnEntusiasta, Aficionado
  • Personable, Pleasant, FriendlyAmistoso
  • ArtisticArtístico
  • CreativeCreativo
  • EnergeticEnérgico
  • LogicalSensato, Razonable
  • PositivePositivo
  • Assertive, ForcefulResuelto, Seguro
  • Dependable, Reliable, TrustworthyFiable
  • EnterprisingEmprendedor
  • LoyalLeal
  • PracticalPráctico
  • Attentive ToAtento a, Preocupado por
  • DeterminedDecidido
  • EnthusiasticEntusiasta
  • MotivatedMotivado
  • ProactiveProactivo
  • Broad-Minded, Open-MindedTolerante
  • DiligentLaborioso
  • Experienced InCon experiencia en
  • OrganizedOrganizado
  • ProductiveProductivo
  • Committed To, Dedicated ToComprometido con
  • Diplomatic, TactfulCorrecto, Respetuoso
  • FirmFirme, Determinado
  • OutgoingSociable
  • ResilientFuerte
  • CompetentCompetente
  • DisciplinedDisciplinado
  • HardworkingTrabajador
  • Outside the BoxOriginal
  • ResourcefulHabilidoso, Capaz
  • EligibleElegible

Important Verbs & Collocations for Architecture

  • DesignProyectar
  • RestoreRestaurar
  • ConserveConservar
  • DevelopDesarrollar
  • PreparePreparar
  • PresentPresentar
  • AdviseAconsejar, Asesorar
  • ProduceFabricar, Producir
  • Negotiate WithNegociar con
  • AttendIr a, Asistir a
  • CoordinateCoordinar
  • MakeHacer
  • Deal WithLidiar con, Resolver, Tratar
  • Liaise WithCooperar con, Colaborar con
  • UseUsar
  • Apply ForSolicitar, Pedir
  • WriteEscribir
  • AdaptAdaptarse, Amoldarse, Modificar

Types of Architects & Their Roles

  • Residential ArchitectsArquitecto de Viviendas
  • Industrial ArchitectsArquitectos Industriales
  • Urban DesignersUrbanistas
  • Landscape ArchitectsPaisajistas
  • Green Design ArchitectsArquitectos ‘Verdes’
  • Interior DesignersDiseñadores de Interiores
  • Commercial ArchitectsArquitectos ‘Comerciales’

Potential Career Paths within Architecture

  • Workplace ConsultantEspecialista
  • Design ArchitectProyectista
  • Sole ProprietorÚnico Propietario
  • Specifications (Spec) WriterRedactor de Memorias
  • Sustainability ConsultantExperto en Sostenibilidad
  • Technical ArchitectArquitecto Técnico
  • Project ManagerDirector de Proyecto
  • BIM ManagerDirector BIM

Types of Projects

  • ResidentialResidencial
  • CommercialComercial
  • EducationEducación
  • HealthcareSalud
  • CommunityComunitario
  • Arts & CultureArte y Cultura
  • ConservationConservación

Other Useful Terms

  • RedundantSuperfluo, Innecesario
  • Charitable TrustFundación Benéfica
  • SuppliersProveedor
  • Close-KnitEstrechamente Unidos
  • PlacemakingPlanificación de Espacios
  • Purpose-BuiltHecho a Propósito
  • Assisted LivingVivienda en Residencia Asistida
  • Domestic ExtensionAñadido de Vivienda
  • At the Heart OfEn el Centro de
  • BespokeA Medida
  • Mixed-Use DevelopmentUso Mixto
  • RefurbishmentRestauración
  • Hands-OnPráctico
  • Resource DepletionAgotamiento de Recursos
  • I abhor + -ing… (to hate intensely)
  • I loathe… (to detest)
  • I can’t bear to do something
  • I can’t stand doing something
  • DutyObligación
  • To be responsible for something/doing something

Part 2: Job Interview & Professional Communication

Your Strengths and Weaknesses

  • I have an excellent command of…Dominio de
  • I am interested in…
  • I recently managed to…
  • I have a good working knowledge of…Conocimiento básico
  • I’m proficient in…Competente
  • I am reasonably good at… (implies not very good)

Transferable Skills

  • Analytical SkillsCapacidad de Análisis
  • CreativityCreatividad
  • Self-ConfidenceConfianza en Sí Mismo
  • Communication SkillsHabilidad Comunicativa
  • IndependenceIndependencia
  • Interpersonal SkillsHabilidades Interpersonales
  • Negotiation SkillsHabilidad de Negociación
  • Self-AwarenessConciencia de Uno Mismo
  • Flexibility
  • Leadership Skills
  • Organizational Skills
  • Teamwork Skills

Collocations

  • Identify a mistake
  • Analyze data
  • Conduct a surveyRealizar encuesta
  • Invent a machine
  • Suggest an alternative
  • Solve a problem
  • Write a report
  • Explain an idea
  • Give a presentation
  • Resolve a dispute
  • Listen to a point of view
  • Work with difficult people
  • Chair a meetingPresidir una reunión
  • Motivate a team
  • Delegate tasks
  • Meet deadlinesCumplir plazos
  • Decide on priorities
  • Implement a planLlevar a cabo un plan
  • Discuss an issue
  • Contribute to a meeting
  • Support a colleague
  • Change someone’s mind
  • Negotiate with someone
  • Convince someone to do something
  • Seek feedback on my performanceBuscar retroalimentación en mi rendimiento
  • Refuse to settle for second bestNo conformarse con el segundo puesto
  • I strive towards my own targetsEsforzarse para conseguir objetivos propios
  • To think on my feetPensar rápido
  • Should you require any further… (formal opening for a request)
  • I set aside thinking timeReservar tiempo para pensar

About Qualifications

  • Graduate from + university / with + education level (e.g., a Master’s) / in + degree year
  • Obtain / Hold a degree from + university
  • Complete / Read a degree at + university
  • To be awarded + something (e.g., a degree)
  • To be on your X year of degree at university… / To be a X-year student of degree…

Job-Hunting Methods

  • Job agencies / Headhunters
  • Cold calling / Mailing
  • Reputable companies / ‘Cowboys’ (unreliable companies)

Making Language More Formal

Using -ing and Perfect Participle

  • For two actions, one immediately following the other, use the perfect participle for the first action.
  • Example: Having studied architecture, she is now a renowned interior designer.

Using ‘Should’ instead of ‘If’

  • Use Should + infinitive (without ‘to’) for a more formal conditional.
  • Example: Should my application be successful (instead of “If my application is successful”)

Formal Word Alternatives

  • GetReceive
  • ExtraAdditional
  • WantWould like
  • NeedRequire
  • Talk aboutDiscuss
  • Get in touch withContact
  • AboutConcerning / Regarding
  • Make sureEnsure
  • GiveProvide somebody with
  • TellInform
  • BossEmployer
  • MoreFurther / Greater
  • Looking forSearching
  • Ask forRequest / Enquire
  • Work / JobEmployment
  • ShowDemonstrate

Part 3: Building & Construction Terminology

Types of Buildings

  • Low-Rise(1 to 3 stories)
  • Medium-Rise(4 to 7 stories)
  • High-Rise(more than 7 stories)
  • DetachedSeparado
  • Semi-DetachedAdosado
  • TerracedAdosado

Residential Buildings

  • Dwelling HouseVivienda
  • FlatPiso
  • InstitutionalInstitucional
  • Other Residential

Non-Residential Buildings

  • AssemblyDe Reunión
  • OfficeOficina
  • ShopTienda
  • IndustrialIndustrial
  • Other Non-Residential
  • HouseCasa
  • HomeHogar

Components of a Building

  • Lot, PlotSolar
  • FlatworkForjado
  • StructureEstructura
  • FootingsZapatas
  • FoundationsCimientos
  • FloorSuelo
  • WallsMuros
  • CeilingsTechos
  • RoofCubierta
  • SystemsSistemas
  • EnclosureCerramiento
  • Trims (Mouldings)Molduras y Marcos
  • FinishesAcabados
  • FixturesMuebles de Obra
  • FurnishingsMuebles
  • EquipmentEquipamiento (Electrodomésticos, etc.)
  • Outdoor ElementsElementos Exteriores (Porche, etc.)

Other Building Elements

  • SlabLosa
  • DrivewayCamino del Coche
  • PierPilar
  • Steel ColumnColumna de Acero
  • BeamViga
  • JoistVigueta
  • Load-Bearing WallMuro de Carga
  • Partition WallTabique
  • Foundation WallMuro de Cimentación
  • Ceiling BeamVigas en el Techo
  • Floor JoistsViguetas
  • PlywoodMadera Contrachapada
  • DrywallPladur
  • Trussed RoofEstructura de Cubierta
  • Roof ShingleTeja
  • Roof TileTeja
  • PlumbingFontanería
  • HVAC SystemsSistema de Ventilación
  • Exterior CladdingRevestimiento Exterior
  • Base MouldRodapié
  • CasingMarco de Ventana
  • Crown MouldMoldura de Cornisa
  • Shingle MouldMoldura de Teja
  • ShutterPersiana
  • CarpetMoqueta
  • WallpaperPapel de Pared
  • DeckTerraza, Plataforma
  • AppliancesElectrodomésticos
  • FurnitureMuebles
  • FireplaceChimenea
  • Sprinkler SystemSistema de Riego
  • LandscapingJardinería

Construction Materials and Structures

  • EarthTierra
    • MudBarro
    • ClayArcilla
  • StonePiedra
    • GraniteGranito
    • MarbleMármol
    • LimestoneCaliza
    • SandstoneArenisca
  • SandArenas y Gravas
    • ConcreteHormigón
    • Reinforced ConcreteHormigón Armado
    • MortarMortero
    • PlasterYeso
  • WoodMadera
    • HardwoodMadera Dura (Caducifolios)
    • SoftwoodMadera Blanda (Coníferas)
  • Green MaterialsMateriales Verdes
    • LeavesHojas
    • BambooBambú
    • GrassHierba
  • LimeCal
    • Lime MortarMortero de Cal
  • TilesTejas (Terracota)
    • Pot TilesTejas Semicirculares
    • Slate TilesBaldosas de Pizarra
    • Encaustic TilesAzulejos Encausticos
  • GlassVidrio
    • GlazedHecho de Vidrio
    • GlazingPiezas de Vidrio
    • Stained GlassVidriera
    • Tempered GlassCristal Templado
  • MetalsMetales
    • Ferrous Metals

      • IronHierro
      • SteelAcero (Stainless Steel, Mild Steel, Carbon Steel)
    • Non-Ferrous Metals

      • AluminumAluminio
      • CopperCobre
      • ZincZinc
  • Other Materials

    • BitumenAsfalto
    • AsbestosAmianto
    • Glass WoolLana de Vidrio
    • PolythenePolietileno
    • RubberGoma
    • PlasticPlástico
    • Cloth FabricTextil

Location of Buildings and Distribution of Spaces

  • DrawingDibujar, Dibujo
  • PlanPlano
  • BlueprintPlano
  • Site PlanPlano de Situación
  • Floor PlanPlanta
  • ElevationAlzado
  • SectionSección
  • Component and Assembly DrawingDetalle Constructivo

Trades and Equipment in Construction

  • ContractorContratista
  • SurveyorSupervisor de Obra
  • ForemanCapataz
  • LaborerPeón
  • Machine DriverConductor
  • ErectorMontador
  • BricklayerAlbañil
  • PlumberFontanero
  • JoinerEbanista
  • CarpenterCarpintero
  • Cladding FixerInstalador de Revestimientos
  • ElectricianElectricista
  • GlazierCristalero
  • DecoratorDecorador, Pintor
  • NailClavo
  • HammerMartillo
  • SawSierra
  • WrenchLlave Inglesa
  • WireCable
  • Welding TorchPistola de Soldar
  • SpadePala
  • TrowelPaleta, Azada
  • ScrewdriverDestornillador
  • ScrewsTornillos
  • HardhatCasco
  • BulldozerExcavadora
  • Spirit LevelNivel
  • BrushPincel, Brocha
  • Daylight Factor MeterMedidor de Luz
  • Sound Pressure MeterMedidor de dB
  • HygrometerMedidor de Humedad
  • Plum-BobPlomada
  • ThermometerTermómetro
  • Steel TapeMetro
  • Strain GaugeGalga Extensiométrica
  • SquareEscuadra
  • VoltmeterMedidor de Voltaje

Properties and Opposites

  • HardSoft
  • SolidLiquid
  • Shiny (surface)Dull (surface)
  • TransparentOpaque
  • A material floatsA material sinks
  • FlammableNon-Flammable
  • CombustibleNon-Combustible
  • MagneticNon-Magnetic
  • ConductorInsulator
  • NaturalMan-Made / Artificial
  • HeavyLight
  • Flexible / ElasticRigid
  • Corrosion ResistantNon-Corrosion Resistant
  • PermeableImpermeable
  • Brittle / FragileTough