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How to Say "bank" in Spanish

English → Spanish

banco

/BAN-koh//ˈbaŋ.ko/

NounA1General
Use 'banco' for a financial institution where you conduct transactions, or for a supply or store of something like blood.
A sturdy, classic building with large columns, commonly recognized as a traditional bank building, symbolizing a financial institution.

Examples

Voy al banco para depositar un cheque.

I'm going to the bank to deposit a check.

¿A qué hora abre el banco los sábados?

What time does the bank open on Saturdays?

Necesito pedir un préstamo al banco para comprar un coche.

I need to ask the bank for a loan to buy a car.

Mi hermano es donante del banco de sangre.

My brother is a blood bank donor.

It's a Masculine Noun

Even though it doesn't end in '-o' in English, 'banco' in Spanish is masculine. Always say 'el banco' (the bank) or 'un banco' (a bank).

banco

/BAN-koh//ˈbaŋ.ko/

NounB2General
Use 'banco' to refer to a raised area of the seabed, often where fish gather.
A sturdy, classic building with large columns, commonly recognized as a traditional bank building, symbolizing a financial institution.

Examples

Vimos un enorme banco de sardinas desde el barco.

We saw a huge school of sardines from the boat.

Voy al banco para depositar un cheque.

I'm going to the bank to deposit a check.

¿A qué hora abre el banco los sábados?

What time does the bank open on Saturdays?

Necesito pedir un préstamo al banco para comprar un coche.

I need to ask the bank for a loan to buy a car.

It's a Masculine Noun

Even though it doesn't end in '-o' in English, 'banco' in Spanish is masculine. Always say 'el banco' (the bank) or 'un banco' (a bank).

orilla

oh-REE-yah/oˈɾiʝa/

NounA2General
Use 'orilla' to describe the side or edge of a body of water like a river, lake, or the sea.
A simple illustration showing the boundary where smooth yellow sand meets calm blue ocean water, clearly depicting a shore.

Examples

Nos sentamos en la orilla del mar a ver las olas.

We sat on the shore of the sea to watch the waves.

Los pescadores tienen sus redes en la orilla del río.

The fishermen have their nets on the bank of the river.

Always Feminine

Since 'orilla' is a noun that ends in -a, it is feminine. Always use 'la' or 'una' with it.

Confusing 'Orilla' and 'Costa'

Mistake: “Using 'costa' to mean the narrow line where the water meets the sand.”

Correction: 'Orilla' is the very edge where you walk (the shoreline). 'Costa' is the much larger, general coastal region.

margen

MAHR-hen/ˈmaɾxen/

NounB1General
Use 'margen' specifically for the edge of a page in a book or document, or the side of a road.
A sheet of white paper with a central block of neat text lines, highlighting the wide, empty space (the margin) surrounding the text block.

Examples

Por favor, no escribas en el margen del examen.

Please, do not write in the margin of the exam.

Caminamos por el margen del río hasta encontrar un puente.

We walked along the bank of the river until we found a bridge.

El coche se detuvo en el margen de la carretera.

The car stopped on the side (verge) of the road.

Gender Note

Even though 'margen' ends in '-en', it is a masculine noun ('el margen'). However, in older usage or specifically referring to a riverbank, you might occasionally hear 'la margen'.

Using the wrong gender

Mistake: “La margen es muy estrecha.”

Correction: El margen es muy estrecho. (Always use the masculine article 'el' for the paper margin or general edge.)

vera

VAY-rahˈbeɾa

NounB1General
Use 'vera' to refer to the edge or bank of a river or lake, often implying a path or area alongside it.
A close-up view of the distinct boundary between a lush green grassy field and the calm, clear blue water of a pond or river.

Examples

Caminamos por la vera del camino hasta encontrar el pueblo.

We walked along the edge of the road until we found the town.

El picnic fue a la vera del río, bajo un gran árbol.

The picnic was on the bank of the river, under a large tree.

Always Feminine

Remember to always use the feminine article 'la' with 'vera': 'la vera'.

Confusing with 'Verdad'

Mistake: “Using 'vera' when you mean 'truth' (verdad).”

Correction: 'Vera' refers to a physical edge; use 'verdad' for truth.

Confusing 'banco' with 'orilla' or 'margen'

The most common mistake is using 'banco' when you mean the edge of a river or body of water. Remember that 'orilla' and 'vera' specifically refer to the land alongside water, while 'banco' is primarily for financial institutions or a school of fish.

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