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centro

SEN-tro/ˈsentɾo/

center

Also: middle
NounmA1
A bright red circle positioned exactly in the middle of a larger white square.

📝 In Action

El sol está en el centro del sistema solar.

A1

The sun is in the center of the solar system.

Dibuja un círculo pequeño en el centro de la página.

A2

Draw a small circle in the middle of the page.

A ella no le gusta ser el centro de atención.

B1

She doesn't like to be the center of attention.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • medio (middle)
  • núcleo (core)

Antonyms

  • borde (edge)
  • periferia (periphery)

Common Collocations

  • centro de gravedad – center of gravity
  • en el centro de – in the middle of

Idioms & Expressions

  • dar en el centro – to hit the mark or be exactly right

downtown

Also: city center
NounmA1
A vibrant street with tall buildings, colorful shop windows, and a fountain in a small plaza.

📝 In Action

Vivo en el centro de Madrid.

A1

I live in downtown Madrid.

Hay muchas tiendas bonitas en el centro.

A1

There are many beautiful shops downtown.

Mañana vamos al centro para ver los museos.

A2

Tomorrow we are going downtown to see the museums.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • casco antiguo (old town)

Antonyms

  • afueras (outskirts)
  • suburbios (suburbs)

Common Collocations

  • centro histórico – historic downtown
  • ir al centro – to go downtown

facility, mall

Also: institution
NounmA2
A modern building with a large glass entrance and a sign showing a basketball and a paintbrush.

📝 In Action

El centro comercial abre a las diez.

A1

The mall opens at ten.

Tengo una cita en el centro médico.

A2

I have an appointment at the medical center.

Estudio en un centro de idiomas.

B1

I study at a language school.

Word Connections

Common Collocations

  • centro comercial – shopping mall
  • centro de salud – health clinic
  • centro de llamadas – call center

cross

NounmB1
Latin America
A soccer player kicking a ball from the edge of the field toward the middle area.

📝 In Action

El delantero cabeceó un centro perfecto.

B1

The forward headed in a perfect cross.

El defensa bloqueó el centro.

B1

The defender blocked the cross.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • hacer un centro – to make a cross
  • centro al área – cross into the box

Translate to Spanish

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: centro

Question 1 of 3

How do you say 'I am going downtown' in Spanish?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
centrar(to focus or to center) — Verb
central(central) — Adjective
céntrico(centrally located) — Adjective
descentralizar(to decentralize) — Verb
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

From Latin 'centrum,' which came from the Greek word 'kentron,' originally meaning a sharp point or the stationary point of a pair of compasses.

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: centerFrench: centreItalian: centro

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use 'centro' to mean 'half'?

Not really. Use 'centro' for a middle point. For 'half' of an object or time, use 'mitad' or 'medio'.

Is 'centro' used for the political middle?

Yes! Just like in English, 'el centro' refers to political moderation or parties that are not left or right wing.

What is the difference between 'en el centro' and 'céntrico'?

'En el centro' is a location (In the center), while 'céntrico' is a descriptive word (A centrally located apartment).