Portezuela (en. Door)

poɾ.teˈθwe.la

Meaning & Definition

EnglishSpanish
noun
A secondary or smaller door than a main door.
The portezuela of the house was decorated with flowers.
La portezuela de la casa estaba decorada con flores.
Access to an enclosed space, usually less important than the main access.
He entered through the portezuela so as not to interrupt the meeting.
Entró por la portezuela para no interrumpir la reunión.
Door located in vehicles, such as cars or trains.
Make sure to close the portezuela properly before starting the trip.
Asegúrate de cerrar bien la portezuela antes de iniciar el viaje.

Etymology

The word comes from the diminutive of 'door', which is 'porte', combined with the suffix '-zuela'.

Common Phrases and Expressions

open the portezuela
Accessing a place through a small door.
abrir la portezuela
exit through the portezuela
Leaving through an alternative or less important access.
salir por la portezuela
close the portezuela
Making sure that a secondary door is properly closed.
cerrar la portezuela

Related Words

door
Opening closed by a frame that allows passage between two spaces.
puerta
access
Way to reach a place or thing.
acceso
entry
Access to a place, especially a building.
entrada

Slang Meanings

Access to an unexpected situation.
He entered the discussion as if nothing happened, through the portezuela of the conversation.
Entró a la discusión como si nada, por la portezuela de la conversación.
Referring to small spaces or less important details.
Don't worry about those portezuela, the important thing is the main issue.
No te preocupes por esas portezuela, lo importante es el asunto principal.