locales
“locales” means “local” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
local
Also: regional
📝 In Action
Las noticias locales se transmiten a las seis.
A1The local news is broadcast at six.
Los productos locales son más frescos y baratos.
A2Local products are fresher and cheaper.
Necesitamos más autobuses locales que conecten el pueblo.
B1We need more local buses connecting the town.
premises, shops
Also: venues, offices
📝 In Action
Todos los locales del centro comercial abren a las diez.
A2All the shops in the mall open at ten.
Están alquilando varios locales en la nueva plaza.
B1They are renting several commercial premises in the new square.
Necesitamos locales más grandes para nuestra empresa.
B2We need bigger business spaces for our company.
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: locales
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'locales' as a noun (meaning 'shops' or 'premises')?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
The word comes directly from the Latin *locālis*, meaning 'relating to a place.' This, in turn, is derived from *locus*, the Latin word for 'place' or 'spot.' This explains why the Spanish word is used both to describe things that are 'local' and to name the 'places' where businesses operate.
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if 'locales' means 'local' (adjective) or 'shops' (noun)?
Look at the words around it. If it is preceded by 'los' or 'unos' (the/some) and is the main focus of the phrase, it means 'shops' or 'premises.' If it follows a noun (like 'productos') and describes that noun, it means 'local'.