barrera
“barrera” means “barrier” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
barrier, fence
Also: railing, turnstile
📝 In Action
Tuvimos que esperar porque la barrera del tren estaba bajada.
A1We had to wait because the train barrier was down.
La policía levantó una barrera de seguridad para controlar la multitud.
A2The police put up a safety barrier to control the crowd.
barrier, obstacle
Also: hindrance
📝 In Action
La barrera del idioma puede ser frustrante al viajar.
A2The language barrier can be frustrating when traveling.
La principal barrera para conseguir el ascenso fue la falta de experiencia.
B1The main obstacle to getting the promotion was the lack of experience.
Debemos romper las barreras culturales que nos separan.
B2We must break down the cultural barriers that separate us.
Translate to Spanish
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: barrera
Question 1 of 1
If you are trying to describe a physical fence dividing two properties, which word best describes 'barrera'?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
Comes from the Vulgar Latin word *barra*, which meant a physical rod or bar used for blocking or closing off an area. The figurative meaning of a challenge or difficulty developed from this core idea.
First recorded: Around the 13th century in Spanish.
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
¿Es 'barrera' siempre un objeto físico?
No. While it often refers to a physical fence or rail (like a toll barrier), it is very frequently used to describe non-physical problems, like 'la barrera del idioma' (the language barrier) or 'una barrera emocional'.
¿Cómo se dice 'barrier reef' (arrecife de coral) en español?
The specific term is usually 'arrecife de barrera'. If you are referring to the Great Barrier Reef, it is 'La Gran Barrera de Coral'.