Inklingo
← Dictionary
A simple colorful storybook illustration showing the transition zone between a dense city and open countryside. On one side are tall, colorful buildings, and on the other are rolling green hills and a few isolated small houses.

afueras

a-FWEH-rahs

nounfB1
outskirts?The border area of a city,suburbs?Residential areas outside the center
Also:periphery?The outer boundary

📝 In Action

Mi casa está en las afueras, lejos del ruido del centro.

A2

My house is on the outskirts, far from the city center noise.

Tuvimos que manejar a las afueras para encontrar un estacionamiento gratuito.

B1

We had to drive to the suburbs to find free parking.

Las afueras de Madrid son muy verdes y tranquilas.

B2

The outskirts of Madrid are very green and quiet.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • periferia (periphery)
  • arrabales (slums/outer neighborhoods (often older usage))

Antonyms

  • centro (center)
  • casco urbano (urban core/downtown)

Common Collocations

  • vivir en las afueras – to live on the outskirts/in the suburbs
  • las afueras de la ciudad – the city's outskirts

💡 Grammar Points

Always Plural

Even if you are talking about just one city's outskirts, 'afueras' is always used in the plural form (las afueras).

❌ Common Pitfalls

Using the Singular

Mistake: "La afuera de la ciudad."

Correction: Las afueras de la ciudad. Remember that this word is fixed in the plural form.

⭐ Usage Tips

Using Prepositions

You will almost always use 'en' (in/on) or 'a' (to) right before 'las afueras,' such as 'Vivo en las afueras' or 'Vamos a las afueras.'

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: afueras

Question 1 of 1

Which sentence correctly uses 'afueras'?

📚 More Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between 'afuera' (singular) and 'afueras' (plural)?

'Afuera' (singular) is an adverb that means 'outside' or 'outdoors' in a general sense (e.g., 'Vamos afuera' - Let's go outside). 'Afueras' (plural) is a noun that specifically refers to the suburbs or outskirts of a city.

Can I use 'afueras' to mean 'the outside of a box'?

No. 'Afueras' is used for the area surrounding a large place like a town or city. To talk about the outside surface of an object, you would use words like 'el exterior' or 'la parte de fuera.'