En la Ciudad: Spanish Vocabulary for Towns and Cities
In this post you’ll learn Spanish vocabulary for towns and cities. First you’ll learn key vocabulary for things you see around town. Next you’ll learn Spanish vocabulary for stores. After that you’ll see vocabulary for schools, restaurants, and other buildings you’re likely to see around town. Finally you’ll learn how to ask directions in Spanish. All of this vocabulary will help you navigate everyday life in Spanish.
Spanish Vocabulary for Around Town
Let’s start with some basic general vocabulary: un edificio, building; un edificio residencial apartment building un edificio de oficinas office building; una calle street; una autopista highway; una acera sidewalk; un parque park; un estacionamiento parking lot; un puesto de estacionamiento parking space; un hotel hotel.
- ¿Dónde está el hotel?
Where’s the hotel? - Hay un parque cerca de aquí.
There’s a park near here. - ¿Cuántos apartamentos hay en este edificio?
How many apartments are in this building?
Spanish Vocabulary for Stores
Now let’s look at how to say various kinds of stores: una tienda store; un supermercado supermarket; una tienda de ropa clothing store; una zapatería shoe store; una joyería jewelry store; una panadería bakery; una pastelería pastry shop; una carnicería butcher; una ferretería hardware store; una librería bookstore; una tienda de electrónica electronics store; una farmacia pharmacy.
- En esta calle hay muchas tiendas.
There are a lot of stores on this street. - En mi ciudad hay un supermercado grande.
There is a big supermarket in my town. - ¿Hay una zapatería/una tienda de ropa/una librería por aquí cerca?
Is there a shoe store/ clothing store/ bookstore nearby?
Spanish Vocabulary for Places around Town
Now let’s look at vocabulary for other places around town: una escuela school; una biblioteca library; una universidad university; una estación de bomberos firehouse; una oficina postal post office; un hospital hospital; una estación de policía police station; una gasolinera/ una estación de gasolina gas station; una iglesia church; una sinagoga synagogue; un templo temple; una mezquita mosque.
- Los estudiantes estan en la escuela.
The students are at school. - Hay una universidad en mi ciudad.
There’s a university in my city. - Voy a la oficina de correos.
I’m going to the post office. - Voy a la biblioteca.
I’m going to the library.
Spanish Vocabulary for Entertainment
Now let’s look at vocabulary related to fun and entertainment: un restaurante restaurant; un bar bar un museo museum; un cine cinema/movie theater; un teatro theater; una galería de arte art gallery.
- ¿Hay un buen restaurante?
Is there a good restaurant? - Vamos al cine.
Let’s go to the movies. - Queremos visitar una galería de arte.
We would like to visit an art gallery.
Spanish Vocabulary for Transportation
Now let’s look at some vocabulary related to getting around town: una estación de tren train station; una estación de autobús bus station; una parada de autobús bus stop; un aeropuerto airport; una estación de metro subway station.
- La estación de tren está en el centro.
The train station is downtown. - Tomo el tren para ir a la ciudad.
I take the train to the city. - Tomo el bus para ir al aeropuerto.
I take the bus to the airport.
How to Ask Directions in Spanish
Let’s end with a few expressions related to asking directions: aquí here; ahí there, a la derecha to the right; a la izquierda to the left; cerca nearby; lejos far away.
- ¿Dónde está la estación de metro?
Where is the subway? - Está aquí.
It’s here. - Está ahí.
It’s there. - Está a la derecha.
It’s to the right. - Está a la izquierda.
It’s to the left. - Está cerca.
It’s nearby. - Está lejos.
It’s far away. - Está al lado del hotel.
It’s next to the hotel. - Está al otro lado de la calle.
It’s across the street. - Sigue todo recto.
Go straight. - Gira a la izquierda.
Turn left. - Gira a la derecha.
Turn right.
Learn Spanish with the Language Garage!
We hope you’ve enjoyed learning some Spanish vocabulary for towns and cities. Now you know how to use Spanish vocabulary for stores, how to ask directions in Spanish, and how to talk about places you’re likely to see in everyday life. If you’re interested in learning more, check out our other posts on Spanish language, culture, and more. If you’re looking for convenient and affordable live Spanish lessons with a real teacher, visit The Language Garage. Our lessons are affordable and fun, and they’re given online in a virtual classroom, so it doesn’t matter where you live or work – we can come to you. We have flexible options, with a free trial so that you can decide if there’s a fit. Check us out!
