Inklingo

How to Say "avenue" in Spanish

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avenida

ah-veh-NEE-dah/aβeˈniða/

nounA1General
Use 'avenida' for a general, wide street found in most cities, often a main thoroughfare.
A colorful illustration of a very wide, straight city street lined with tall trees and buildings stretching into the distance.

Examples

La Avenida de los Campos Elíseos es muy famosa.

The Avenue of the Champs-Élysées is very famous.

Para llegar al centro, tienes que tomar esta avenida principal.

To get to the center, you have to take this main avenue.

El tráfico en la avenida es insoportable durante la hora pico de la mañana.

The traffic on the avenue is unbearable during the morning rush hour.

Feminine Noun

Remember that 'avenida' is always feminine, so you must use 'la' or 'una' before it, and any adjectives describing it must also end in -a (e.g., 'la avenida ancha' - the wide avenue).

Confusing 'Avenida' and 'Calle'

Mistake: “Usando 'calle' cuando se refiere a una vía muy grande y ancha.”

Correction: 'Avenida' is usually reserved for wider, often multi-lane streets, while 'calle' is the general term for any street, usually narrower ones. If it’s a major thoroughfare, use 'avenida'.

vía

nounA1General
Use 'vía' when referring to a main road or thoroughfare, especially one that provides access to or from a location.

Examples

La vía de acceso a la ciudad está cerrada.

The access road to the city is closed.

paseo

/pah-seh-oh//paˈseo/

nounB1General
Choose 'paseo' for a broad, often tree-lined street or boulevard designed for strolling or with significant architectural or commercial interest.
A wide, paved public walkway stretching alongside a calm blue ocean, with benches and palm trees.

Examples

El Paseo de Gracia es famoso por sus edificios modernistas en Barcelona.

The Paseo de Gracia is famous for its modernist buildings in Barcelona.

Hay mucha gente vendiendo artesanías en el paseo marítimo.

There are many people selling handicrafts on the seaside promenade.

carrera

/kah-RREH-rrah//kaˈreɾa/

nounC1Regional (Latin America)
Use 'carrera' specifically for a main street in certain Latin American countries, often identified by a number.
A wide, straight city street lined with tall, colorful buildings and green trees, illustrating a major urban avenue.

Examples

La dirección es Carrera 15 con Calle 72.

The address is 15th Avenue at 72nd Street.

Choosing between 'avenida' and 'carrera'

Learners often confuse 'avenida' and 'carrera' because both can mean a main city street. Remember that 'carrera' is typically used in specific Latin American countries, often as part of a numbered address, while 'avenida' is the more general term used widely.

Related Translations

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