orilla
/oh-REE-yah/
shore
The sandy orilla where the land meets the sea.
orilla(noun)
shore
?coastline of a sea or lake
,bank
?side of a river
waterside
?general area next to water
📝 In Action
Nos sentamos en la orilla del mar a ver las olas.
A2We sat on the shore of the sea to watch the waves.
Los pescadores tienen sus redes en la orilla del río.
A2The fishermen have their nets on the bank of the river.
💡 Grammar Points
Always Feminine
Since 'orilla' is a noun that ends in -a, it is feminine. Always use 'la' or 'una' with it.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing 'Orilla' and 'Costa'
Mistake: "Using 'costa' to mean the narrow line where the water meets the sand."
Correction: 'Orilla' is the very edge where you walk (the shoreline). 'Costa' is the much larger, general coastal region.
⭐ Usage Tips
Use with 'a'
To indicate location, we often use the preposition 'a' (at/on) instead of 'en' (in) when referring to the edge: 'Están a la orilla'.
The orilla is the boundary or limit of a surface, like the edge of a table.
orilla(noun)
edge
?limit of a surface (table, road)
,border
?boundary of a place
verge
?side of a road or path
📝 In Action
Ten cuidado, el plato está justo en la orilla de la mesa.
B1Be careful, the plate is right on the edge of the table.
Vivimos en la orilla de la ciudad, cerca del campo.
B1We live on the border/outskirts of the city, near the countryside.
💡 Grammar Points
Figurative Use
Just like in English, 'orilla' can be used figuratively to mean being close to a major change or emotion (e.g., 'on the edge of success').
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: orilla
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'orilla' in its meaning of 'edge of an object'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if 'orilla' means 'shore' or 'edge'?
Look at the word it's paired with. If you see 'mar' (sea), 'río' (river), or 'lago' (lake), it means 'shore' or 'bank.' If you see 'mesa' (table), 'cama' (bed), or 'carretera' (road), it means 'edge' or 'side.'