Inklingo

How to Say "block" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “block” is “bloque” — use 'bloque' when referring to a solid, often large, piece of material like concrete, ice, or wood.

bloque🔊A1

Use 'bloque' when referring to a solid, often large, piece of material like concrete, ice, or wood.

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cuadra🔊A2

Use 'cuadra' to talk about a short distance, specifically the length of a city block between two streets.

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ladrillo🔊A1

Use 'ladrillo' when specifically referring to a brick, a common building material.

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pastilla🔊A2

Use 'pastilla' for a small, solid, concentrated block of something, like soap or bouillon.

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móduloB1

Use 'módulo' to refer to a segment or unit of study or time, like a course module.

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tapónB2

Use 'tapón' specifically in sports, particularly basketball, to mean a block or a charge.

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parada🔊B2

Use 'parada' in sports to refer to a save or a general stopping action, like a goalkeeper stopping a shot.

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English → Spanish

bloque

BLO-kehˈblo.ke

nounA1general
Use 'bloque' when referring to a solid, often large, piece of material like concrete, ice, or wood.
A single, heavy gray concrete construction block resting on the ground.

Examples

Necesitamos un bloque de cemento para arreglar la pared.

We need a concrete block to fix the wall.

El escultor está trabajando en un bloque de mármol.

The sculptor is working on a block of marble.

Compré un bloque grande de queso para la fiesta.

I bought a large block of cheese for the party.

Always Masculine

Remember that 'bloque' is always masculine, so you must use 'el' (the) or 'un' (a/an) before it.

cuadra

KWAA-drahˈkwaðɾa

nounA2general
Use 'cuadra' to talk about a short distance, specifically the length of a city block between two streets.
An aerial view of a typical urban area showing four buildings defining the perimeter of a square city block.

Examples

Mi casa está a solo dos cuadras del parque.

My house is only two blocks from the park.

¿Cuántas cuadras tenemos que caminar para llegar al museo?

How many blocks do we have to walk to get to the museum?

Using 'Cuadra' for Distance

When talking about distance, you usually use the preposition 'a' (at/to) followed by the number of blocks: 'Está a tres cuadras'.

Confusing 'Cuadra' and 'Manzana'

Mistake: “Using 'cuadra' in Spain when referring to the physical square of buildings.”

Correction: In Spain, 'manzana' refers to the physical block of buildings, while 'cuadra' is used mainly in Latin America for the distance.

ladrillo

lah-DREE-yohlaˈðɾiʝo

nounA1general
Use 'ladrillo' when specifically referring to a brick, a common building material.
A single red clay brick with three holes on top resting on a clean surface.

Examples

La casa está construida con ladrillo rojo.

The house is built with red brick.

El muro de ladrillo es muy resistente.

The brick wall is very strong.

Los obreros están colocando los ladrillos uno por uno.

The workers are placing the bricks one by one.

Always Masculine

Even if you are talking about a small or decorative brick, the word is always 'el ladrillo.' It never changes to a feminine form.

Describing Material

When saying something is 'made of brick,' use the word 'de' before 'ladrillo' (e.g., pared de ladrillo).

Confusing with 'Tile'

Mistake: “Using 'ladrillo' for roof tiles.”

Correction: Use 'teja' for roof tiles and 'baldosa' for floor tiles. 'Ladrillo' is only for the thick blocks used in walls.

pastilla

pas-TEE-yahpasˈtiʝa

nounA2general
Use 'pastilla' for a small, solid, concentrated block of something, like soap or bouillon.
A rectangular bar of pink soap with small bubbles.

Examples

Compré una pastilla de jabón con olor a lavanda.

I bought a bar of soap with a lavender scent.

Añade una pastilla de caldo a la sopa.

Add a bouillon cube (stock block) to the soup.

módulo

nounB1general
Use 'módulo' to refer to a segment or unit of study or time, like a course module.

Examples

He terminado el primer módulo de mi curso de español.

I have finished the first unit of my Spanish course.

tapón

nounB2sports
Use 'tapón' specifically in sports, particularly basketball, to mean a block or a charge.

Examples

El pívot le puso un tapón espectacular.

The center gave him a spectacular block.

parada

pah-RAH-dahpaˈɾaða

nounB2sports
Use 'parada' in sports to refer to a save or a general stopping action, like a goalkeeper stopping a shot.
An illustration of a soccer goalkeeper making a dramatic horizontal dive to save a ball from entering the goal.

Examples

¡Qué parada espectacular! El portero salvó el partido.

What a spectacular save! The goalkeeper saved the match.

Fue una parada con los pies, muy arriesgada.

It was a save with his feet, very risky.

Block vs. Block: Distance vs. Object

The most frequent confusion is between 'bloque' (a solid piece) and 'cuadra' (a city block distance). Remember, if you're talking about walking a certain number of city blocks, use 'cuadra'. If you're referring to a physical chunk of material, 'bloque' is the correct term.

Related Translations

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