centroamericano
“centroamericano” means “Central American” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
Central American
Also: from Central America
📝 In Action
Me encanta la comida centroamericana.
A1I love Central American food.
Los países centroamericanos tienen selvas increíbles.
A2Central American countries have incredible jungles.
Estamos estudiando el mercado centroamericano.
B1We are studying the Central American market.
Central American
📝 In Action
Él es un centroamericano viviendo en España.
A2He is a Central American living in Spain.
Muchos centroamericanos viajan al norte cada año.
B1Many Central Americans travel north every year.
La reunión fue organizada por una centroamericana.
B1The meeting was organized by a Central American woman.
Vocabulary Collections
Translate to Spanish
Words that translate to "centroamericano" in Spanish:
central american→✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: centroamericano
Question 1 of 3
Which of the following is the correct way to say 'the Central American woman'?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
A combination of the Spanish words 'centro' (center) and 'americano' (American). It identifies the narrow bridge of land connecting North and South America.
First recorded: 19th century
Cognates (Related words)
💡 Master Spanish
Take your Spanish to the next level. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories tailored to your level with the Inklingo app!
Frequently Asked Questions
Does 'centroamericano' include Mexico?
No. Geographically, Mexico is part of North America. 'Centroamericano' refers to people and things from the seven countries between Mexico and Colombia: Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama.
How do I know if I should use the -o or -a ending?
Use -o if you are talking about a man or a masculine object (like 'un país'). Use -a if you are talking about a woman or a feminine object (like 'una ciudad').
Can I use this word as both a noun and an adjective?
Yes! You can use it to describe something ('comida centroamericana') or to refer to a person ('él es centroamericano').