pueblos
/PWEH-blohs/
villages
Pueblos can mean small settlements or villages.
pueblos(noun)
villages
?small settlements
,small towns
?smaller than a city
communities
?referring to small population centers
📝 In Action
En verano, me gusta visitar los pueblos costeros de Andalucía.
A2In summer, I like to visit the coastal villages of Andalusia.
Hay muchos pueblos blancos preciosos en las montañas.
A1There are many beautiful white towns in the mountains.
💡 Grammar Points
Always Plural
Remember that 'pueblos' is the plural form of the masculine noun 'pueblo' (a single town). It always requires plural articles and adjectives (e.g., 'los pueblos grandes').
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using 'Gente' for Towns
Mistake: "Fui a ver las gentes de España."
Correction: Fui a ver los pueblos de España. ('Gente' means people/folks; 'pueblos' means towns or populations.)
⭐ Usage Tips
Size Matters
Use 'pueblos' specifically for settlements smaller than a major city ('ciudad'). If you're unsure, 'pueblo' is usually a safe choice for anything non-urban.
Pueblos refers to distinct groups of peoples or nations.
pueblos(noun)
peoples
?referring to distinct groups of people (nations, populations)
populations
?collective body of citizens
,nations
?when speaking politically or historically
📝 In Action
Los pueblos de Europa tienen una historia entrelazada.
B1The peoples of Europe have an intertwined history.
Se exige respeto por la autodeterminación de los pueblos.
B2Respect for the self-determination of populations is demanded.
💡 Grammar Points
Plurality of 'Peoples'
Unlike English, which often uses 'the people' (singular) to refer to a collective population, Spanish uses 'los pueblos' (plural) when referring to multiple distinct populations or nations.
⭐ Usage Tips
Context is Key
If you see 'los pueblos' in a history book or political speech, it almost certainly means 'peoples' or 'nations,' not 'small towns.'
Pueblos also specifically refers to indigenous peoples.
pueblos(noun)
indigenous peoples
?referring to native ethnic groups
tribes
?historical or cultural groups
📝 In Action
Se firmó un acuerdo con los pueblos originarios de la región.
B2An agreement was signed with the native indigenous peoples of the region.
Los pueblos precolombinos desarrollaron grandes civilizaciones.
C1The pre-Columbian peoples developed great civilizations.
💡 Grammar Points
Originarios vs. Indígenas
When referring to native groups, you will often hear 'pueblos indígenas' (indigenous peoples) or 'pueblos originarios' (original peoples).
⭐ Usage Tips
Respectful Language
In modern Spanish, using 'pueblos' is the most respectful and common way to refer to distinct cultural or indigenous groups.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: pueblos
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'pueblos' to mean 'small settlements'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
If 'pueblos' means 'towns,' how do I say 'the people' (singular collective)?
If you are referring to 'the people' in a general, singular sense (like 'the populace' or 'the crowd'), you should use the singular, feminine noun 'la gente.' Example: 'La gente es amable' (The people are kind).
What is the difference between 'pueblo' and 'ciudad'?
'Ciudad' means 'city' and refers to a large, urban center. 'Pueblo' means 'town' or 'village' and refers to a smaller, often more rural settlement. The line isn't always sharp, but 'ciudad' is always bigger.