Inklingo

How to Say "barriers" in Spanish

English → Spanish

muros

/MOO-rohs//ˈmuɾos/

nounB1general
Use 'muros' when referring to emotional, social, or metaphorical obstacles that prevent connection or understanding between people, especially online.
A digital interface featuring a grid of various colorful photos and user avatars.

Examples

No me gusta publicar fotos en los muros de otros.

I don't like posting photos on other people's walls (feeds).

Ella puso muros entre nosotros.

She put up walls (barriers) between us.

paredes

pah-REH-dehs/paˈɾeðes/

nounB2general
Use 'paredes' to describe figurative limits, defenses, or the inner lining of organs or structures, rather than emotional barriers.
A simple, colorful cross-section illustration of a biological tube, clearly showing the distinct, thick layered wall structure of the vessel.

Examples

Las paredes del estómago se inflaman con la gastritis.

The walls of the stomach become inflamed with gastritis.

Sentí que las paredes de la cueva se cerraban a mi alrededor.

I felt the walls of the cave closing in around me.

Ella levantó paredes invisibles para proteger su corazón.

She put up invisible walls to protect her heart.

Metaphorical Use

When used figuratively (like 'putting up walls'), 'paredes' still means boundaries or barriers that separate or protect.

Muros vs. Paredes

Learners often confuse 'muros' and 'paredes' when translating 'barriers'. Remember that 'muros' is typically used for abstract or emotional obstacles between people, like social media 'walls', while 'paredes' refers more to structural or figurative limits, often within a system or organism.

Related Translations

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