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How to Say "countryside" in Spanish

English → Spanish

campo

/kahm-poh//ˈkampo/

NounA1General
Use 'campo' when referring to the general rural area outside of towns and cities, often implying open land, fields, or nature.
A vast, open green field stretching to the horizon, representing the countryside, with a small red barn visible in the distance.

Examples

Mi abuela vive en el campo, lejos de la ciudad.

My grandmother lives in the countryside, far from the city.

Vimos muchas vacas en un campo verde.

We saw many cows in a green field.

Este fin de semana vamos de excursión al campo.

This weekend we're going on a trip to the country.

'El campo' vs 'Un campo'

Use 'el campo' (with 'the') to talk about the countryside in general. Use 'un campo' (with 'a') to talk about a specific, single field.

Country vs. Country

Mistake: “Quiero visitar el campo de México.”

Correction: To talk about a nation, use 'país': 'Quiero visitar el país de México.' Use 'campo' for the rural area within that nation: 'Me gusta el campo mexicano.'

país

NounB2General
Use 'país' when describing a rural region or landscape, emphasizing the 'land' aspect rather than just the absence of urban areas.

Examples

Atravesamos un país de montañas y valles.

We crossed a land of mountains and valleys.

Campo vs. País

The most common mistake is using 'país' when you simply mean the rural area outside a city. Remember, 'país' often carries a sense of 'land' or 'region,' while 'campo' is the default word for 'countryside' in most everyday contexts.

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