Asiento vs. butaca
The Spanish words 'asiento' and 'butaca' both roughly translate to the English word 'seat', but they are used to describe different types of seats in various contexts. This article aims to clarify these differences.
Asiento
'Asiento' has a broader use and can refer to almost any type of seat or bench. It's also the word used to denote a 'seat' on a vehicle, like a car or bus, or as a seating arrangement in places like restaurants or stadiums.
Hay tres asientos libres en el autobús.
(There are three free seats on the bus.)
Reservé un asiento en el restaurante para cenar.
(I reserved a seat at the restaurant for dinner.)
El coche tiene cinco asientos.
(The car has five seats.)
Butaca
'Butaca' typically refers to a fixed or armchair type seat, such as those you might find in a theater, cinema or an airplane. It can also refer to an armchair commonly found in a living room.
Compré dos butacas para la sala de estar.
(I bought two armchairs for the living room.)
Tengo que encontrar mi butaca en el cine.
(I need to find my seat in the cinema.)
Las butacas del avión eran muy cómodas.
(The airplane seats were very comfortable.)
Summary
Both 'asiento' and 'butaca' mean 'seat', but 'asiento' has broader usage and could refer any type of seat or bench including ones in vehicles, while 'butaca' generally refers to fixed seats such as those found in theatres, cinemas, airplanes, or could also be used to refer to armchairs.