local
“local” means “local” in Spanish. It has 3 different meanings depending on context:
local
Also: regional, neighborhood
📝 In Action
Queremos probar la comida local, no la turística.
A1We want to try the local food, not the touristy stuff.
La oficina central está en Madrid, pero tenemos muchas sucursales locales.
A2The main office is in Madrid, but we have many local branches.
premises, store
Also: venue, business space
📝 In Action
Alquilamos un local muy grande para poner la panadería.
A2We rented a very large premises/space to set up the bakery.
El local donde se celebró la fiesta era precioso.
A2The venue where the party was held was beautiful.
Busco un local comercial en el centro de la ciudad.
B1I am looking for a commercial premises in the city center.
local
Also: native, resident
📝 In Action
Pregúntale a un local, seguro que conoce el camino más corto.
B1Ask a local, surely they know the shortest way.
Las locales siempre saben dónde comprar mejor.
B2The local women/residents always know where to shop best.
Translate to Spanish
Words that translate to "local" in Spanish:
business space→local→native→neighborhood→premises→regional→resident→store→✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: local
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'local' as a NOUN referring to a place of business?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
Comes directly from the Latin word *localis*, meaning 'pertaining to a place.' It has been used in Spanish since medieval times and its meaning has stayed very consistent, always revolving around the idea of a specific place.
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'local' the same as 'lugar'?
Not exactly. 'Lugar' means 'place' in a general sense (e.g., 'Este es un buen lugar para comer'). 'Local' often specifically means a commercial building, store, or venue (e.g., 'El local está en venta'). While both relate to location, 'local' is much more specific about a building or establishment.
How do I know if 'local' is referring to a person or a store?
You can tell by the article and context. If it's 'el local' or 'un local' followed by a description of what is sold or housed, it's the place (the shop). If it’s describing 'un residente local' (a local resident) or used substantively like 'Pregúntale a un local,' it refers to a person.