Use 'en el centro' to say something IS in the center ('El libro está en el centro'). Use 'al centro' to talk about moving something TO the center ('Mueve la silla al centro').

'El centro' vs. 'Al centro'

This is the most basic meaning of 'centro'. Think of it as the bullseye on a target. All other meanings of 'centro' grow from this simple idea of 'the middle'.

The Core Idea

Extremely common. One of the first location words you'll learn and use daily.

'Centro' vs. 'Ciudad'

You can often just say 'el centro' by itself, and people will understand you mean the downtown area of whatever city you're in. For example, '¿Hay un banco en el centro?'

Just 'el centro'

Just as common as the 'middle' meaning, especially in conversations about cities.

Think of 'centro' here as a building block. You combine it with another word to name a place: 'centro' + 'comercial' (shopping) = shopping center. 'Centro' + 'deportivo' (sports) = sports center.

A Building Block Word

Very common, used to name many types of public and private buildings.

This meaning takes the idea of a physical 'center' and applies it to abstract things like conversations, problems, or attention. It's the main point that everything else revolves around.

From Places to Ideas

Common in more formal or descriptive writing and speech. Used for ideas, not just places.

This is the 'I' form of the verb 'centrar', which means 'to center' or 'to focus'. You can see how the action of 'centering' something comes directly from the idea of a 'center' (the noun).

From Noun to Action

This is the 'yo' (I) form of the verb 'centrar'. It's moderately common, especially in sports or when talking about focusing your efforts.

Learn the complete meaning of the Spanish word 'centro'. Understand its uses as 'center', 'downtown', 'shopping center', and the verb 'to focus'. Includes examples, conjugations, and usage tips for all levels.

centrar

Complete Conjugation Tables

🔄 Conjugations

indicative

present

future

imperfect

conditional

preterite

imperative

negative

affirmative

subjunctive

present

imperfect

Practice Conjugations