parroquia
“parroquia” means “parish” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
parish
Also: district
📝 In Action
Nuestra parroquia organiza una fiesta cada verano.
A2Our parish organizes a festival every summer.
La oficina de correos está en la parroquia de al lado.
B1The post office is in the next district over.
Esa iglesia es la más antigua de la parroquia.
A2That church is the oldest one in the parish.
regular customers
Also: congregation
📝 In Action
Este bar tiene una parroquia muy fiel.
B2This bar has a very loyal group of regulars.
Toda la parroquia se reunió para despedir al dueño del café.
C1All the regulars gathered to say goodbye to the coffee shop owner.
La parroquia escuchó el sermón en silencio.
B1The congregation listened to the sermon in silence.
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✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: parroquia
Question 1 of 3
If you are at a local bar and someone mentions 'la parroquia,' what are they likely referring to?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
From the Greek word 'paroikia', which meant 'living near' or 'a group of strangers staying in a place.' It eventually came to describe the community of Christians living in a specific area through the Latin 'paroecia'.
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'parroquia' only used for Catholic churches?
While its roots are in the Catholic tradition (which is dominant in Spanish-speaking history), it can be used for any local religious district, and more commonly, it is used for administrative neighborhoods or social groups.
Can I use 'parroquia' to describe a group of friends?
Yes, but usually only if those friends meet regularly at a specific place, like a social club or a neighborhood pub. It implies a sense of community tied to a location.
What is the difference between 'iglesia' and 'parroquia'?
An 'iglesia' is the physical building (the church). A 'parroquia' is the institution, the community of people, or the specific territory that church serves.