A colorful illustration depicting a quiet street lined with several small, distinct houses, representing a typical neighborhood or local area.

barrio

BAH-rryo

NounmA1

neighborhood?A local area within a city or town.,district?An administrative or historical section of a large city.

Also:quarter?Used especially for historically distinct areas, like 'the Gothic quarter'.

📝 In Action

¿En qué barrio vives de Madrid?

Which neighborhood of Madrid do you live in?

Este barrio tiene muchas tiendas pequeñas y cafés.

This district has many small shops and cafes.

El ayuntamiento está planeando mejorar los parques del barrio residencial.

The city council is planning to improve the parks in the residential neighborhood.

Word Connections

Synonyms

vecindario (neighborhood (focusing on the community))
distrito (district (often administrative))
zona (zone/area)

Common Collocations

barrio antiguo – old/historic district
barrio obrero – working-class neighborhood
barrio residencial – residential neighborhood

Idioms & Expressions

ser del barrio – to be local / to be from around here

💡 Grammar Points

Masculine Noun Rule

Since 'barrio' is a masculine noun, always use the masculine articles: 'el barrio' (the neighborhood) or 'un barrio' (a neighborhood).

❌ Common Pitfalls

Confusing 'barrio' and 'pueblo'

Mistake: "Using 'barrio' when referring to a small, separate town."

Correction: A 'barrio' is a part of a larger city. If it's a small town outside a major city, use 'pueblo'.

⭐ Usage Tips

Local Identity

A 'barrio' often carries a strong sense of local community, identity, and specific history, much more so than a generic 'area' or 'zone'.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: barrio

Question 1 of 1

Which sentence correctly uses 'barrio'?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

barrial(of the neighborhood) - adjective

barriada(suburb/large neighborhood grouping) - noun

barrista(local resident/fan) - noun

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between 'barrio' and 'vecindario'?

'Barrio' often refers to the official, administrative, or historical division of a city (like a district on a map). 'Vecindario' focuses more on the people and the collective community of neighbors who live there.

Is 'barrio' always a positive word?

Generally, yes, it's neutral, meaning 'neighborhood.' However, depending on the context and region, it can sometimes be used to refer specifically to poorer or less formal settlements, though this usage is often context-dependent.