A simple illustration depicting a landscape divided into three distinct, clearly bordered areas: a green grassy zone, a blue water zone, and a yellow sandy zone.

zonas

SOH-nahs

nounfA1

zones?general term for areas,areas?general term for regions

Also:regions?larger geographical divisions,districts?urban sectors or administrative divisions

📝 In Action

Hay muchas zonas verdes en el parque central.

There are many green areas in the central park.

Necesitamos evacuar las zonas de riesgo inmediatamente.

We need to evacuate the risk zones immediately.

Las zonas costeras suelen ser más húmedas que las de interior.

Coastal regions are usually more humid than inland ones.

Word Connections

Synonyms

áreas (areas)
regiones (regions)
sectores (sectors)

Common Collocations

zonas horarias – time zones
zonas residenciales – residential areas
zonas peatonales – pedestrian zones

💡 Grammar Points

Feminine Plural

Since 'zonas' is feminine, any descriptive words (adjectives) you use with it must also end in '-as', like 'zonas verdes' (green zones).

The Singular Form

The singular form of this word is 'zona' (zone/area). You use it when talking about just one specific location.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Gender Confusion

Mistake: "Los zonas peligrosas."

Correction: Las zonas peligrosas. (The word 'zona' is always feminine, so you must use 'las' and feminine adjectives.)

⭐ Usage Tips

Using 'de'

You often use 'zonas' followed by 'de' (of) to specify the type of area: 'zonas de aparcamiento' (parking zones).

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: zonas

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence correctly uses 'zonas' to describe a place?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

zona(zone, area (singular)) - noun

regional(regional) - adjective

zonificación(zoning) - noun

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'zonas' only used for geographical places?

No. While most commonly used for geography ('zonas montañosas'), 'zonas' can also refer to conceptual areas, like 'zonas de confort' (comfort zones) or 'zonas de oportunidad' (areas of opportunity).

How do I know if I should use 'zonas' or 'áreas'?

'Zonas' and 'áreas' are synonyms and are often interchangeable. 'Zonas' is slightly more common when referring to officially designated districts (like time zones or residential zones), while 'áreas' is more common for general measurement or abstract concepts.