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estrecho

es-TRE-cho/esˈtɾet͡ʃo/

narrow

Also: cramped
A very narrow cobblestone alleyway between two tall stone buildings.

📝 In Action

El pasillo de mi casa es muy estrecho.

A1

The hallway in my house is very narrow.

Tuvimos que pasar por una calle estrecha para llegar al hotel.

A2

We had to go through a narrow street to get to the hotel.

Ese puente es demasiado estrecho para dos coches.

B1

That bridge is too narrow for two cars.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • angosto (narrow)

Antonyms

  • ancho (wide)
  • espacioso (spacious)

Common Collocations

  • calle estrecha – narrow street
  • margen estrecho – narrow margin

tight

A person trying to pull on a sweater that is clearly several sizes too small.

📝 In Action

Estos zapatos me quedan un poco estrechos.

A2

These shoes feel a bit tight on me.

No me gusta llevar pantalones tan estrechos.

B1

I don't like wearing such tight pants.

La camisa es bonita pero me queda estrecha de hombros.

B2

The shirt is nice but it's tight in the shoulders.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • holgado (loose/baggy)
  • flojo (loose)

Common Collocations

  • quedar estrecho – to fit tightly
  • zapatos estrechos – tight shoes

close

Also: intimate
Two friends walking together with their arms around each other's shoulders.

📝 In Action

Ellos mantienen una relación muy estrecha.

B1

They maintain a very close relationship.

Hay un vínculo muy estrecho entre la dieta y la salud.

B2

There is a very close link between diet and health.

Trabajamos en estrecha colaboración con el equipo de ventas.

C1

We work in close collaboration with the sales team.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • cercano (close/nearby)
  • íntimo (intimate)

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • vínculo estrecho – close bond
  • colaboración estrecha – close collaboration
  • contacto estrecho – close contact

strait

NounmB2
A narrow passage of blue water between two large green landmasses.

📝 In Action

Muchos barcos cruzan el estrecho de Gibraltar cada día.

B2

Many ships cross the Strait of Gibraltar every day.

El estrecho de Magallanes está en el sur de Chile.

B2

The Strait of Magellan is in the south of Chile.

El estrecho conecta los dos océanos.

C1

The strait connects the two oceans.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • estrecho de mar – sea strait

Idioms & Expressions

  • verse en estrechos – To find oneself in a difficult or tight situation (usually financial)

🔀 Commonly Confused With

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "estrecho" in Spanish:

narrow→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: estrecho

Question 1 of 3

Which of these is the most likely use of 'estrecho'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
estrechar(to narrow / to hug) — Verb
estrechez(narrowness / hardship) — Noun
estrechamente(closely / narrowly) — Adverb
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

From the Latin word 'strictus', which means 'tight' or 'drawn together'. It is the same root that gave English the words 'strict' and 'strait'.

First recorded: 12th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: straitFrench: étroitItalian: stretto

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does 'estrecho' mean 'strict' like a teacher?

Usually no. For a strict person, you should use 'estricto'. However, you might hear 'estrecho de mente' to mean someone is narrow-minded.

What is the difference between 'estrecho' and 'angosto'?

They are synonyms! 'Estrecho' is more common in Spain, while 'angosto' is very frequent in many parts of Latin America.

Can I use 'estrecho' for people?

Only if you are describing a very thin person (rare) or their mindset ('estrecho de mente'). It isn't used to mean someone is short or small.