cuadra
/KWAA-drah/
city block
A visualization of a 'cuadra' as a city block, a common unit of distance in Spanish-speaking cities.
📝 In Action
Mi casa está a solo dos cuadras del parque.
A2My house is only two blocks from the park.
¿Cuántas cuadras tenemos que caminar para llegar al museo?
A2How many blocks do we have to walk to get to the museum?
💡 Grammar Points
Using 'Cuadra' for Distance
When talking about distance, you usually use the preposition 'a' (at/to) followed by the number of blocks: 'Está a tres cuadras'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing 'Cuadra' and 'Manzana'
Mistake: "Using 'cuadra' in Spain when referring to the physical square of buildings."
Correction: In Spain, 'manzana' refers to the physical block of buildings, while 'cuadra' is used mainly in Latin America for the distance.
⭐ Usage Tips
Context is Key
In Latin America, if someone asks for directions, 'cuadra' is the standard unit of measurement, like 'street' or 'avenue' in English.
This image shows a 'cuadra' meaning a stable, the building used to house horses.
📝 In Action
El jinete limpió la cuadra después de alimentar a los caballos.
B1The rider cleaned the stable after feeding the horses.
Hay diez caballos en la cuadra principal de la hacienda.
B1There are ten horses in the main stable of the ranch.
⭐ Usage Tips
Rural vs. Urban Context
If you are in a city, 'cuadra' means 'block'. If you are on a ranch or farm, it almost certainly means 'stable'.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: cuadra
Question 1 of 2
If you are in Buenos Aires and someone tells you, 'Caminamos cinco cuadras,' what are you doing?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'cuadra' the same as 'manzana'?
They are related, but often used differently. 'Manzana' usually means the physical, square area of buildings surrounded by streets (the 'apple' or block). 'Cuadra' usually refers to the distance of one side of that square, especially in Latin America.
How can I tell if 'cuadra' means 'block' or 'stable'?
Context is your best friend! If you are in a city and talking about directions, it's 'block.' If you are talking about horses, farms, or animals, it's 'stable.' The verb *cuadrar* (to fit/match) is also related, so listen carefully to see if the speaker is using it as a noun or a verb.