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subterráneo

soob-teh-RRAH-neh-ohsubteˈraneo

“subterráneo” means “underground” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

underground

Also: subterranean
A cross-section view of the ground showing green grass on top and a small wooden door leading into a cozy room built into the dirt below.

📝 In Action

Hay un pasadizo subterráneo que conecta los dos edificios.

A2

There is an underground passage that connects the two buildings.

Las hormigas viven en túneles subterráneos.

B1

Ants live in underground tunnels.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • bajo tierra (under the ground)

Antonyms

  • aéreo (aerial/above ground)
  • superficial (on the surface)

Common Collocations

  • río subterráneo – underground river
  • estacionamiento subterráneo – underground parking lot

subway

Also: metro
NounmB1
Argentina
A sleek silver train with blue stripes sitting at a brightly lit underground station platform.

📝 In Action

Voy al trabajo en el subterráneo todos los días.

B1

I go to work on the subway every day.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • metro (metro)
  • subte (subway (short version))

Common Collocations

  • estación de subterráneo – subway station
  • tomar el subterráneo – to take the subway

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "subterráneo" in Spanish:

subterranean→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: subterráneo

Question 1 of 2

If you are in Buenos Aires and want to take the subway, what would you most likely ask for?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
cráneocontemporáneoespontáneo
📚 Etymology▼

From the Latin 'sub' (meaning 'under') and 'terra' (meaning 'earth' or 'ground').

First recorded: 15th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: subterraneanFrench: souterrainItalian: sotterraneo

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'subterráneo' the same as 'metro'?

Yes, they refer to the same thing (an underground train), but 'subterráneo' is the formal name used mostly in Argentina and Chile, while 'metro' is more common in Spain, Mexico, and Colombia.

Can I use 'subterráneo' to mean a 'secret' group?

Yes! Just like in English, you can use it figuratively to describe things that are hidden or 'underground' in a social or political sense.