urbanización
“urbanización” means “housing estate” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
housing estate
Also: residential development, gated community
📝 In Action
Vivo en una urbanización muy tranquila a las afueras de la ciudad.
A1I live in a very quiet housing estate on the outskirts of the city.
Nuestra urbanización tiene una piscina y una pista de tenis.
A2Our residential development has a pool and a tennis court.
La urbanización privada cuenta con seguridad las veinticuatro horas.
B1The gated community has 24-hour security.
urbanization
Also: urban development
📝 In Action
La rápida urbanización del siglo veinte cambió el país.
B2The rapid urbanization of the twentieth century changed the country.
El plan de urbanización busca mejorar las carreteras.
C1The urban development plan aims to improve the roads.
Debemos controlar la urbanización para proteger el bosque.
B2We must control urban development to protect the forest.
Translate to Spanish
Words that translate to "urbanización" in Spanish:
gated community→housing estate→residential development→urban development→urbanization→✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: urbanización
Question 1 of 3
If a friend says 'Mi urbanización tiene piscina', what are they talking about?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
From the Latin word 'urbs' meaning 'city'. The suffix '-ización' indicates a process or the result of an action.
First recorded: 19th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is an 'urbanización' the same as a 'barrio'?
Not exactly. A 'barrio' is a general neighborhood in a city. An 'urbanización' is usually a specifically planned residential area, often with its own private roads or shared facilities like pools.
Do all Spanish speakers live in an 'urbanización'?
No, it's just one type of housing. Many people live in 'pisos' (apartments) in the city center or 'casas' in towns.
Can 'urbanización' refer to a skyscraper?
No, it refers to the development or area as a whole, not a single tall building.

