lugar

/loo-GAR/

A colorful map with a red pin marking a specific location, representing a place.

Just like a pin on a map, 'lugar' points to a specific place or location.

lugar (Noun)

mA1

place?general location,location?a specific point or area

Also:spot?a particular place

📝 In Action

Este es un buen lugar para un pícnic.

This is a good place for a picnic.

¿Cuál es tu lugar favorito en la ciudad?

What is your favorite place in the city?

Busco un lugar tranquilo para leer.

I'm looking for a quiet place to read.

Word Connections

Synonyms

sitio (site, place)
localización (location)
paraje (spot, place (often rural))

Common Collocations

en primer lugar – in the first place, firstly
en ningún lugar – nowhere
en cualquier lugar – anywhere
tener lugar – to take place, to happen

Idioms & Expressions

poner a alguien en su lugar – To put someone in their place, to tell someone off who is being arrogant or out of line.

💡 Grammar Points

Always 'el lugar'

'Lugar' is a masculine word, so you'll always use 'el' or 'un' with it, not 'la' or 'una'. For example, 'el lugar es bonito' (the place is beautiful).

❌ Common Pitfalls

Confusing 'lugar' and 'sitio'

Mistake: "Using them in ways that aren't interchangeable."

Correction: For a general 'place,' 'lugar' and 'sitio' are often synonyms. You can say 'un buen lugar para comer' or 'un buen sitio para comer'. Both are perfect!

⭐ Usage Tips

Your Go-To Word for 'Place'

When you're a beginner and you want to say 'place,' 'lugar' is almost always the right word to choose. It's safe, common, and everyone will understand you.

A person trying to fit one more bag into a car that is already completely full, illustrating the concept of available space.

'Lugar' can also mean the 'space' or 'room' available for something, like trying to find space in a packed car.

lugar (Noun)

mA2

space?available area,room?capacity for something

Also:seat?an available spot to sit

📝 In Action

¿Hay lugar para una persona más en el coche?

Is there room for one more person in the car?

Hazme un lugar en el sofá, por favor.

Make some room for me on the sofa, please.

No tengo lugar en mi agenda esta semana.

I don't have space/room in my schedule this week.

Word Connections

Synonyms

espacio (space)
sitio (space, room)

Common Collocations

hacer lugar – to make room/space
no hay lugar – there is no room/space

⭐ Usage Tips

Think 'Capacity'

Use this meaning of 'lugar' when you're asking about capacity. Is there enough space FOR something or someone? '¿Hay lugar?' is a great shorthand question.

A winner's podium with medals for first, second, and third place, symbolizing position or rank.

Here, 'lugar' means a 'position' or 'rank,' like first, second, or third place in a competition.

lugar (Noun)

mB1

position?in a ranking or sequence,rank?standing in a hierarchy

Also:place?as in 'first place'

📝 In Action

Ella obtuvo el primer lugar en la competencia.

She got first place in the competition.

En la lista de espera, ocupo el décimo lugar.

On the waiting list, I hold the tenth position.

El equipo descendió al último lugar de la tabla.

The team dropped to the last place in the standings.

Word Connections

Synonyms

puesto (position, post)
posición (position)

Common Collocations

primer lugar – first place
segundo lugar – second place
último lugar – last place

⭐ Usage Tips

Pair with Numbers

This meaning is almost always used with numbers (primero, segundo, tercer...) or words like 'último' (last) to show where something falls in an order.

A single domino falling and starting a chain reaction with other dominoes, representing a cause or reason.

In phrases like 'dar lugar a', 'lugar' can mean the 'reason' or 'cause' for something to happen, like one domino causing the others to fall.

lugar (Noun)

mB2

reason?grounds or cause,cause?origin of an event

Also:occasion?opportunity for something,room (for)?as in 'room for doubt'

📝 In Action

Su comportamiento dio lugar a muchas quejas.

His behavior gave rise to many complaints.

No hay lugar a dudas de que es la mejor opción.

There is no room for doubt that it is the best option.

Ese malentendido puede dar lugar a problemas serios.

That misunderstanding can lead to serious problems.

Word Connections

Synonyms

motivo (motive, reason)
causa (cause)
ocasión (occasion)

Common Collocations

dar lugar a – to give rise to, to lead to, to cause
no haber lugar a – to be no room for
en lugar de – instead of

⭐ Usage Tips

Learn the Whole Phrase

This meaning of 'lugar' doesn't usually stand alone. It's best to learn it as part of a complete phrase, like 'dar lugar a' (to cause) or 'en lugar de' (instead of).

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: lugar

Question 1 of 1

Which sentence uses 'lugar' to mean a position or rank?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

lugareño(local, native (person)) - noun/adjective

desalojar(to evict, to vacate) - verb

colocar(to place, to put) - verb

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between 'lugar', 'sitio', and 'espacio'?

Great question! 'Lugar' and 'sitio' are often interchangeable for a general 'place'. 'Lugar' is a bit more common and broader. 'Espacio' specifically means 'space'—either the physical area around you or outer space. You'd use 'espacio' to talk about needing more room to work, but 'lugar' or 'sitio' to talk about a nice place for a restaurant.

How do I say 'to take place' in Spanish?

You use the phrase 'tener lugar'. For example, 'La reunión tendrá lugar en la oficina' means 'The meeting will take place in the office'. It's a very common and useful expression!