colonia

koh-LOH-nee-ah

nounfB1

colony?political territory or historical settlement,neighborhood?urban district (especially in Mexico)

Also:district?city subdivision

📝 In Action

La India fue una colonia británica durante muchos años.

India was a British colony for many years.

Necesito ir a la colonia Condesa; ¿sabes cómo llegar?

I need to go to the Condesa neighborhood; do you know how to get there?

Word Connections

Synonyms

territorio (territory)
barrio (neighborhood)

Common Collocations

antigua colonia – former colony
colonia residencial – residential neighborhood

💡 Grammar Points

Always Feminine

Even when talking about a large territory or a large district, 'colonia' is always a feminine noun, requiring 'la' or 'una'.

⭐ Usage Tips

Regional Use (Mexico)

In Mexico and Central America, 'colonia' is the most common and standard way to refer to a neighborhood or district, often appearing in addresses.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: colonia

Question 1 of 1

Which sentence uses 'colonia' to mean a geographical area, not a scent?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

colonial(colonial) - adjective

colonizar(to colonize) - verb

colono(settler) - noun

Frequently Asked Questions

¿Cuál es la diferencia entre 'colonia' y 'perfume'?

Both refer to scented liquids, but 'colonia' usually means a lighter, less concentrated scent, like an eau de toilette. 'Perfume' is typically reserved for stronger, longer-lasting fragrances.

If I'm in Mexico, should I use 'colonia' or 'barrio' for a neighborhood?

In Mexico, 'colonia' is the standard and official term for a neighborhood or district. While 'barrio' is understood, 'colonia' is what you will see on signs and addresses.