cuadra
“cuadra” means “city block” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
city block, block
📝 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?
stable
Also: barn
📝 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.
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✏️ 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
👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
The word comes directly from the Latin *quadra*, meaning 'a square' or 'a four-sided figure.' This origin explains both meanings: a city block is typically square or rectangular, and a stable is a rectangular, contained space.
First recorded: Medieval Spanish
Cognates (Related words)
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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.