Inklingo

How to Say "corner" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “corner” is “esquina” — use 'esquina' for the corner of a street, a room, or the outside corner of an object.

English → Spanish

esquina

ess-KEE-nahesˈkina

nounA1general
Use 'esquina' for the corner of a street, a room, or the outside corner of an object.
A colorful storybook illustration of a clear, sharp street corner where two paved roads meet, forming a right angle.

Examples

La tienda está justo en la esquina.

The shop is right on the corner.

La farmacia está en la esquina de la calle principal.

The pharmacy is on the corner of the main street.

Tuvimos que doblar la esquina para ver el mural.

We had to turn the corner to see the mural.

Se me dobló la esquina de la página del libro.

The corner of the book page got folded.

Feminine Noun

Esquina is always feminine, so you must use 'la' or 'una' before it: 'la esquina'.

Esquina vs. Rincón

Mistake: “Using 'rincón' when talking about a street corner.”

Correction: Use 'esquina' for outside corners (streets) and 'rincón' for inside corners or cozy, hidden corners (of a room).

rincón

nounA2general
Use 'rincón' to describe the inner corner where two walls or surfaces meet, often a secluded spot.

Examples

Me gusta leer en mi rincón favorito del sofá.

I like to read in my favorite corner of the sofa.

ángulo

nounA2general
Use 'ángulo' when referring to a geometric angle or the outer bend of an object.

Examples

El arquitecto dibujó un ángulo de 90 grados.

The architect drew a 90-degree angle.

canto

KAN-tohˈkanto

nounB1general
Use 'canto' for the sharp edge or corner of a hard object, like a table or a book.
A solid, simple, purple geometric block resting on a flat surface, with one sharp vertical edge clearly emphasized.

Examples

Ten cuidado de no golpearte con el canto de la mesa.

Be careful not to hit yourself on the edge of the table.

El libro cayó y golpeó el canto de la mesa.

The book fell and hit the edge of the table.

Puso la moneda de canto para hacerla girar.

He put the coin on its edge to spin it.

Edge vs. Corner

Mistake: “Using 'esquina' for the edge of a flat object.”

Correction: 'Esquina' usually means a street corner or the corner where two walls meet. Use 'canto' or 'borde' for the thin side of a book, table, or coin.

atrapar

a-tra-para.tɾaˈpaɾ

verbB1general
Use 'atrapar' as a verb meaning to corner someone figuratively, like trapping them in an argument or situation.
A small, simple cartoon creature looking worried while caught inside a large, restrictive net on green grass.

Examples

El reportero intentó atrapar al político con preguntas incisivas.

The reporter tried to corner the politician with incisive questions.

Los periodistas intentaron atrapar al político con una pregunta difícil.

The journalists tried to corner the politician with a difficult question.

La policía atrapó al ladrón justo cuando intentaba escapar.

The police trapped the thief just as he was trying to escape.

Lo atrapamos en una contradicción, ¡así supimos que mentía!

We caught him out in a contradiction, that's how we knew he was lying!

rabo

rah-bohˈra.βo

nounB2general
Use 'rabo' specifically for the stem or 'tail' of a fruit like an apple or pear.
A single bright red cherry with a long green stem attached.

Examples

No puedo comer la manzana si tiene el rabo.

I can't eat the apple if it has the stem.

No te comas el rabo de la manzana.

Don't eat the apple stem.

Le quité el rabo a las cerezas antes de lavarlas.

I took the stems off the cherries before washing them.

Lo miró por el rabo del ojo para que no se diera cuenta.

She looked at him out of the corner of her eye so he wouldn't notice.

Specific Plant Parts

Use 'rabo' for the part where you pick up a cherry or an apple. For the main trunk of a flower, 'tallo' is more accurate.

Esquina vs. Rincón

The most common confusion is between 'esquina' and 'rincón'. Remember, 'esquina' is for the intersection of streets or the outer angle of an object, while 'rincón' refers to the inside nook or recess where walls meet.

Related Translations

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