parada
/pah-RAH-dah/
stop
A parada is often a designated public transportation stop.
parada(noun)
stop
?bus, metro, or tram stop
,stand
?taxi stand or rank
station
?small local station
📝 In Action
La parada de autobús está justo aquí al lado.
A1The bus stop is right next door here.
¿Dónde está la parada de taxis más cercana?
A2Where is the nearest taxi stand?
💡 Grammar Points
Gender Reminder
Even though it ends in 'a', remember that this word is feminine, so you always use 'la parada' or 'una parada'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Parada vs. Estación
Use 'parada' for simple stops (like a sign on the sidewalk) and 'estación' for larger, covered stations (like a train station or a major bus terminal).
The word parada can also mean a stop or a break from activity.
parada(noun)
stop
?a break or halt in activity
,break
?a pause during a journey
layover
?in travel
📝 In Action
Hagamos una parada para comer algo antes de seguir el camino.
B1Let's make a stop to eat something before continuing the journey.
El vuelo tiene una parada de tres horas en Madrid.
B2The flight has a three-hour layover in Madrid.
💡 Grammar Points
Common Verb Partner
The most frequent way to use this meaning is with the verb 'hacer' (to do/make): 'hacer una parada'.
A festive procession or parade is called a parada.
📝 In Action
Cada año hay una gran parada militar para celebrar el Día Nacional.
B2Every year there is a large military parade to celebrate National Day.
La parada de la banda fue muy impresionante.
C1The band's parade was very impressive.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using 'Parada' for all Parades
Mistake: "Using 'parada' for a general, festive parade (like a Carnival parade)."
Correction: While 'parada' is technically correct, 'desfile' is much more common for non-military, festive processions (e.g., 'desfile de carnaval').
In sports, a spectacular save by a goalkeeper is referred to as a parada.
📝 In Action
¡Qué parada espectacular! El portero salvó el partido.
B2What a spectacular save! The goalkeeper saved the match.
Fue una parada con los pies, muy arriesgada.
C1It was a save with his feet, very risky.
⭐ Usage Tips
Context is Key
This meaning is almost always used in the context of football (soccer) or sometimes handball, referring to the goalkeeper's action.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: parada
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'parada' to mean a physical location?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'parada' the same as 'parado'?
No. 'Parada' (feminine noun) means 'a stop' or 'a halt.' 'Parado' (masculine noun or adjective) means 'stopped' or 'standing up,' and can also mean 'unemployed' in some regions.
How do I know if 'parada' means 'bus stop' or 'break'?
Look at the surrounding words. If you see 'de autobús' (of the bus) or 'de taxi' (of the taxi), it means the location. If you see verbs like 'hacer' (to make) or 'tener' (to have) followed by 'una parada,' it usually means a temporary break or halt in motion.