metro
/MEH-troh/
meter
In Spanish, 'metro' refers to the unit of length equal to 100 centimeters, or a meter.
metro(noun)
meter
?unit of length (US spelling)
,metre
?unit of length (UK spelling)
measuring tape
?in some regional contexts, referring to the tool
📝 In Action
Necesito un metro de cuerda roja.
A1I need one meter of red rope.
Mi habitación mide tres metros de ancho.
A1My room is three meters wide.
La piscina tiene 25 metros de largo.
A2The pool is 25 meters long.
💡 Grammar Points
Always Masculine
Since 'metro' is a masculine noun, always use 'el' or 'un' before it, and make sure any adjectives describing it are also masculine (e.g., 'el metro exacto').
❌ Common Pitfalls
Mixing Units
Mistake: "La mesa mide tres pies."
Correction: La mesa mide tres metros. (The table is three meters.)
⭐ Usage Tips
Pronouncing Measurements
When saying distances, it’s common to drop the word 'de' before the measurement: 'Mide diez metros' (It measures ten meters).
'Metro' also translates to 'subway,' referring to the urban underground public transportation system.
metro(noun)
subway
?public transportation system (US)
,underground
?public transportation system (UK)
metro
?public transportation system
📝 In Action
¿Dónde está la parada de metro más cercana?
A2Where is the nearest subway stop?
Es más rápido ir en metro que en autobús.
A2It's faster to go by subway than by bus.
Toma la línea azul del metro hasta la estación central.
B1Take the blue subway line to the central station.
💡 Grammar Points
Using Transportation
To say how you travel, use the preposition 'en' (in/by) before the transportation method: 'Voy en metro' (I go by subway).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Preposition Choice
Mistake: "Voy por metro."
Correction: Voy en metro.
⭐ Usage Tips
Context is Key
In cities without an underground system, 'metro' will almost always refer to the unit of measurement. In major cities, it refers to the transport system.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: metro
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'metro' to talk about distance?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I tell if 'metro' means 'subway' or 'meter'?
Context is everything! If you are talking about travel, stations, or tickets, it means 'subway.' If you are talking about size, length, or height, it means 'meter' (the measurement).
Why is the underground rail system called 'metro'?
It is a short version of 'Ferrocarril Metropolitano' (Metropolitan Railway). 'Metropolitano' means 'belonging to a large city,' linking back to the original Greek root of 'measure' and 'city.'