Essential English for Architecture & Career Success

Posted on Aug 10, 2025 in Architecture

Part 1: Professional & Personal English Vocabulary

Adjectives for Personal & Professional Traits

  • Active – Activo
  • Computer Savvy – Experto en (ordenadores)
  • Discreet – Discreto
  • Honest – Honesto
  • Passionate About – Apasionado de
  • Self-Confident – Con confianza en sí mismo
  • Adaptable – Flexible
  • Conscientious, Thorough, Methodical – Meticuloso
  • Dynamic – Dinámico
  • Independent – Independiente
  • Innovative – Innovador
  • Persistent – Persistente
  • Tenacious – Tenaz, Firme
  • Analytical, Analytic – Analítico
  • Cooperative – Colaborador
  • Efficient – Eficiente
  • Keen On – Entusiasta, Aficionado
  • Personable, Pleasant, Friendly – Amistoso
  • Artistic – Artístico
  • Creative – Creativo
  • Energetic – Enérgico
  • Logical – Sensato, Razonable
  • Positive – Positivo
  • Assertive, Forceful – Resuelto, Seguro
  • Dependable, Reliable, Trustworthy – Fiable
  • Enterprising – Emprendedor
  • Loyal – Leal
  • Practical – Práctico
  • Attentive To – Atento a, Preocupado por
  • Determined – Decidido
  • Enthusiastic – Entusiasta
  • Motivated – Motivado
  • Proactive – Proactivo
  • Broad-Minded, Open-Minded – Tolerante
  • Diligent – Laborioso
  • Experienced In – Con experiencia en
  • Organized – Organizado
  • Productive – Productivo
  • Committed To, Dedicated To – Comprometido con
  • Diplomatic, Tactful – Correcto, Respetuoso
  • Firm – Firme, Determinado
  • Outgoing – Sociable
  • Resilient – Fuerte
  • Competent – Competente
  • Disciplined – Disciplinado
  • Hardworking – Trabajador
  • Outside the Box – Original
  • Resourceful – Habilidoso, Capaz
  • Eligible – Elegible

Important Verbs & Collocations for Architecture

  • Design – Proyectar
  • Restore – Restaurar
  • Conserve – Conservar
  • Develop – Desarrollar
  • Prepare – Preparar
  • Present – Presentar
  • Advise – Aconsejar, Asesorar
  • Produce – Fabricar, Producir
  • Negotiate With – Negociar con
  • Attend – Ir a, Asistir a
  • Coordinate – Coordinar
  • Make – Hacer
  • Deal With – Lidiar con, Resolver, Tratar
  • Liaise With – Cooperar con, Colaborar con
  • Use – Usar
  • Apply For – Solicitar, Pedir
  • Write – Escribir
  • Adapt – Adaptarse, Amoldarse, Modificar

Types of Architects & Their Roles

  • Residential Architects – Arquitecto de Viviendas
  • Industrial Architects – Arquitectos Industriales
  • Urban Designers – Urbanistas
  • Landscape Architects – Paisajistas
  • Green Design Architects – Arquitectos ‘Verdes’
  • Interior Designers – Diseñadores de Interiores
  • Commercial Architects – Arquitectos ‘Comerciales’

Potential Career Paths within Architecture

  • Workplace Consultant – Especialista
  • Design Architect – Proyectista
  • Sole Proprietor – Único Propietario
  • Specifications (Spec) Writer – Redactor de Memorias
  • Sustainability Consultant – Experto en Sostenibilidad
  • Technical Architect – Arquitecto Técnico
  • Project Manager – Director de Proyecto
  • BIM Manager – Director BIM

Types of Projects

  • Residential – Residencial
  • Commercial – Comercial
  • Education – Educación
  • Healthcare – Salud
  • Community – Comunitario
  • Arts & Culture – Arte y Cultura
  • Conservation – Conservación

Other Useful Terms

  • Redundant – Superfluo, Innecesario
  • Charitable Trust – Fundación Benéfica
  • Suppliers – Proveedor
  • Close-Knit – Estrechamente Unidos
  • Placemaking – Planificación de Espacios
  • Purpose-Built – Hecho a Propósito
  • Assisted Living – Vivienda en Residencia Asistida
  • Domestic Extension – Añadido de Vivienda
  • At the Heart Of – En el Centro de
  • Bespoke – A Medida
  • Mixed-Use Development – Uso Mixto
  • Refurbishment – Restauración
  • Hands-On – Práctico
  • Resource Depletion – Agotamiento 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
  • Duty – Obligación
  • 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 Skills – Capacidad de Análisis
  • Creativity – Creatividad
  • Self-Confidence – Confianza en Sí Mismo
  • Communication Skills – Habilidad Comunicativa
  • Independence – Independencia
  • Interpersonal Skills – Habilidades Interpersonales
  • Negotiation Skills – Habilidad de Negociación
  • Self-Awareness – Conciencia de Uno Mismo
  • Flexibility
  • Leadership Skills
  • Organizational Skills
  • Teamwork Skills

Collocations

  • Identify a mistake
  • Analyze data
  • Conduct a survey – Realizar 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 meeting – Presidir una reunión
  • Motivate a team
  • Delegate tasks
  • Meet deadlines – Cumplir plazos
  • Decide on priorities
  • Implement a plan – Llevar 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 performance – Buscar retroalimentación en mi rendimiento
  • Refuse to settle for second best – No conformarse con el segundo puesto
  • I strive towards my own targets – Esforzarse para conseguir objetivos propios
  • To think on my feet – Pensar rápido
  • Should you require any further… (formal opening for a request)
  • I set aside thinking time – Reservar 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

  • Get – Receive
  • Extra – Additional
  • Want – Would like
  • Need – Require
  • Talk about – Discuss
  • Get in touch with – Contact
  • About – Concerning / Regarding
  • Make sure – Ensure
  • Give – Provide somebody with
  • Tell – Inform
  • Boss – Employer
  • More – Further / Greater
  • Looking for – Searching
  • Ask for – Request / Enquire
  • Work / Job – Employment
  • Show – Demonstrate

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)
  • Detached – Separado
  • Semi-Detached – Adosado
  • Terraced – Adosado

Residential Buildings

  • Dwelling House – Vivienda
  • Flat – Piso
  • Institutional – Institucional
  • Other Residential

Non-Residential Buildings

  • Assembly – De Reunión
  • Office – Oficina
  • Shop – Tienda
  • Industrial – Industrial
  • Other Non-Residential
  • House – Casa
  • Home – Hogar

Components of a Building

  • Lot, Plot – Solar
  • Flatwork – Forjado
  • Structure – Estructura
  • Footings – Zapatas
  • Foundations – Cimientos
  • Floor – Suelo
  • Walls – Muros
  • Ceilings – Techos
  • Roof – Cubierta
  • Systems – Sistemas
  • Enclosure – Cerramiento
  • Trims (Mouldings) – Molduras y Marcos
  • Finishes – Acabados
  • Fixtures – Muebles de Obra
  • Furnishings – Muebles
  • Equipment – Equipamiento (Electrodomésticos, etc.)
  • Outdoor Elements – Elementos Exteriores (Porche, etc.)

Other Building Elements

  • Slab – Losa
  • Driveway – Camino del Coche
  • Pier – Pilar
  • Steel Column – Columna de Acero
  • Beam – Viga
  • Joist – Vigueta
  • Load-Bearing Wall – Muro de Carga
  • Partition Wall – Tabique
  • Foundation Wall – Muro de Cimentación
  • Ceiling Beam – Vigas en el Techo
  • Floor Joists – Viguetas
  • Plywood – Madera Contrachapada
  • Drywall – Pladur
  • Trussed Roof – Estructura de Cubierta
  • Roof Shingle – Teja
  • Roof Tile – Teja
  • Plumbing – Fontanería
  • HVAC Systems – Sistema de Ventilación
  • Exterior Cladding – Revestimiento Exterior
  • Base Mould – Rodapié
  • Casing – Marco de Ventana
  • Crown Mould – Moldura de Cornisa
  • Shingle Mould – Moldura de Teja
  • Shutter – Persiana
  • Carpet – Moqueta
  • Wallpaper – Papel de Pared
  • Deck – Terraza, Plataforma
  • Appliances – Electrodomésticos
  • Furniture – Muebles
  • Fireplace – Chimenea
  • Sprinkler System – Sistema de Riego
  • Landscaping – Jardinería

Construction Materials and Structures

  • Earth – Tierra
    • Mud – Barro
    • Clay – Arcilla
  • Stone – Piedra
    • Granite – Granito
    • Marble – Mármol
    • Limestone – Caliza
    • Sandstone – Arenisca
  • Sand – Arenas y Gravas
    • Concrete – Hormigón
    • Reinforced Concrete – Hormigón Armado
    • Mortar – Mortero
    • Plaster – Yeso
  • Wood – Madera
    • Hardwood – Madera Dura (Caducifolios)
    • Softwood – Madera Blanda (Coníferas)
  • Green Materials – Materiales Verdes
    • Leaves – Hojas
    • Bamboo – Bambú
    • Grass – Hierba
  • Lime – Cal
    • Lime Mortar – Mortero de Cal
  • Tiles – Tejas (Terracota)
    • Pot Tiles – Tejas Semicirculares
    • Slate Tiles – Baldosas de Pizarra
    • Encaustic Tiles – Azulejos Encausticos
  • Glass – Vidrio
    • Glazed – Hecho de Vidrio
    • Glazing – Piezas de Vidrio
    • Stained Glass – Vidriera
    • Tempered Glass – Cristal Templado
  • Metals – Metales

    • Ferrous Metals

      • Iron – Hierro
      • Steel – Acero (Stainless Steel, Mild Steel, Carbon Steel)

    • Non-Ferrous Metals

      • Aluminum – Aluminio
      • Copper – Cobre
      • Zinc – Zinc

  • Other Materials

    • Bitumen – Asfalto
    • Asbestos – Amianto
    • Glass Wool – Lana de Vidrio
    • Polythene – Polietileno
    • Rubber – Goma
    • Plastic – Plástico
    • Cloth Fabric – Textil

Location of Buildings and Distribution of Spaces

  • Drawing – Dibujar, Dibujo
  • Plan – Plano
  • Blueprint – Plano
  • Site Plan – Plano de Situación
  • Floor Plan – Planta
  • Elevation – Alzado
  • Section – Sección
  • Component and Assembly Drawing – Detalle Constructivo

Trades and Equipment in Construction

  • Contractor – Contratista
  • Surveyor – Supervisor de Obra
  • Foreman – Capataz
  • Laborer – Peón
  • Machine Driver – Conductor
  • Erector – Montador
  • Bricklayer – Albañil
  • Plumber – Fontanero
  • Joiner – Ebanista
  • Carpenter – Carpintero
  • Cladding Fixer – Instalador de Revestimientos
  • Electrician – Electricista
  • Glazier – Cristalero
  • Decorator – Decorador, Pintor
  • Nail – Clavo
  • Hammer – Martillo
  • Saw – Sierra
  • Wrench – Llave Inglesa
  • Wire – Cable
  • Welding Torch – Pistola de Soldar
  • Spade – Pala
  • Trowel – Paleta, Azada
  • Screwdriver – Destornillador
  • Screws – Tornillos
  • Hardhat – Casco
  • Bulldozer – Excavadora
  • Spirit Level – Nivel
  • Brush – Pincel, Brocha
  • Daylight Factor Meter – Medidor de Luz
  • Sound Pressure Meter – Medidor de dB
  • Hygrometer – Medidor de Humedad
  • Plum-Bob – Plomada
  • Thermometer – Termómetro
  • Steel Tape – Metro
  • Strain Gauge – Galga Extensiométrica
  • Square – Escuadra
  • Voltmeter – Medidor de Voltaje

Properties and Opposites

  • Hard – Soft
  • Solid – Liquid
  • Shiny (surface) – Dull (surface)
  • Transparent – Opaque
  • A material floats – A material sinks
  • Flammable – Non-Flammable
  • Combustible – Non-Combustible
  • Magnetic – Non-Magnetic
  • Conductor – Insulator
  • Natural – Man-Made / Artificial
  • Heavy – Light
  • Flexible / Elastic – Rigid
  • Corrosion Resistant – Non-Corrosion Resistant
  • Permeable – Impermeable
  • Brittle / Fragile – Tough