A simple storybook illustration showing two friendly people, a man and a woman, leaning over a low wooden fence between their colorful adjacent houses, engaged in conversation.

vecinos

veh-SEE-nohs

nounmA1

neighbors?people living next door or nearby

Also:residents?people living in a specific area or district

📝 In Action

Nuestros vecinos nos invitaron a una barbacoa.

Our neighbors invited us to a barbecue.

Los vecinos se quejaron del ruido de la fiesta.

The neighbors complained about the noise from the party.

La reunión de vecinos será mañana por la noche.

The residents' meeting will be tomorrow night.

Word Connections

Synonyms

residentes (residents)
moradores (inhabitants)

Common Collocations

junta de vecinos – neighborhood association meeting
vecinos de al lado – next-door neighbors

💡 Grammar Points

Masculine Plural for Mixed Groups

Even if the group of neighbors includes women, 'vecinos' (masculine plural) is the standard term used to refer to the group as a whole. Use 'vecinas' only if the group is entirely female.

The Root Word

This word comes from the singular 'vecino' (a male neighbor) or 'vecina' (a female neighbor). Remember to match the plural ending (-os) to the plural noun.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Confusing the Place and the People

Mistake: "Usar 'vecinos' para hablar del barrio. (Using 'neighbors' to talk about the neighborhood.)"

Correction: Use 'el vecindario' or 'el barrio' for the area, and 'los vecinos' for the people. Example: 'El vecindario es tranquilo' (The neighborhood is quiet).

⭐ Usage Tips

Formal vs. Informal

'Vecinos' is the most common and neutral way to refer to the people who live around you, regardless of formality.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: vecinos

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence correctly uses 'vecinos' to refer to a mixed-gender group of people?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

vecino(neighbor (male, singular)) - noun

vecina(neighbor (female, singular)) - noun

vecindario(neighborhood) - noun

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I say 'neighbor's house'?

You can say 'la casa del vecino' (if referring to a male neighbor) or 'la casa de la vecina' (if referring to a female neighbor). Spanish uses 'of the neighbor' rather than an apostrophe 's'.

Is 'vecinos' used only for people who live right next door?

No. While it certainly includes the people next door, 'vecinos' can also refer to anyone who lives in the same street, building, or general neighborhood (vecindario).