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barrio

BAH-rryo/ˈba.rjo/

“barrio” means “neighborhood” in Spanish (A local area within a city or town.).

neighborhood, district

Also: quarter
NounmA1
SpainSome Latin American Countries (e.g., Argentina, Venezuela)
A colorful illustration depicting a quiet street lined with several small, distinct houses, representing a typical neighborhood or local area.

📝 In Action

¿En qué barrio vives de Madrid?

A1

Which neighborhood of Madrid do you live in?

Este barrio tiene muchas tiendas pequeñas y cafés.

A2

This district has many small shops and cafes.

El ayuntamiento está planeando mejorar los parques del barrio residencial.

B1

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

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "barrio" in Spanish:

district→neighborhood→quarter→

✏️ 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
🎵 Rhymes▼
diarioideario
📚 Etymology▼

The word comes from the Arabic *barri*, meaning 'exterior' or 'open country.' When the Moors occupied Spain, the term was used to refer to the settlements or districts built just outside the main city walls. Over time, it came to mean any defined part of a town.

First recorded: Around the 13th century (Medieval Spanish)

Cognates (Related words)

Portuguese: bairro

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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.