Sitting down!

Question

What is the difference between un asciento and una silla?

Answer 1

Exactly as the translator defines it, but you must spell asiento to find it.

Answer 2

Asiento is any item in which you can sit

Silla is chair

Or a saddle.. - annierats, Aug 17, 2015

Of course, but it is more common tu say: Silla de montar - txustaboy, Aug 19, 2015

Answer 3

"Asiento" is also in Spanish a Historical term. It means "monopoly", like monopoly of slavery or "Asiento de Negros" that Spain give to British East India Company.

Actually that makes sense. Thanks for sharing this interesting fact. - gringojrf, Aug 18, 2015

Answer 4

Here is an interesting aside. The word asiento is also used for that burnt part of a stew or here in Mexico birrria that you have to scrape off the bottom of the pot. It is scraped off and then put in a taco. The flavor is very intense and delicious. The first time I saw tacos de asiento on the menu I was very confused by it. But being daring as I am I ordered one after asking what it was.

So if you see asiento on the menu they are not charging you for your seat but offering you a special treat.

Words can have many meanings. So like the other current thread about reading Spanish you may think you know a word and as Chileno said, be completely wrong. Context is indeed your friend but like your friends it can mislead you as well.

Answer 5

Hi, Joy,

As Julian said our translator is excellent for dealing with individual words or short phrases.

It's sort of like the difference between "seat" and "chair" in English.

Answer 6

Tenía un buen asiento a caballo , montado de silla vaquera, pero nunca se veía tan experto montado de silla inglesa. H e had a good seat// he sat well on a horse//, when riding Spanish style, but he never looked so competent when using an English saddle. ( English saddle inSpanish is a normal saddle to the rest of the world..)

De o en? - annierats, Aug 17, 2015

You can actually say : He sat his horse well, but this is very old-fashioned and means he sat well on the horse, not that the horse sat down. - annierats, Aug 17, 2015