Inklingo

How to Say "district" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “district” is “barrio” — use 'barrio' when referring to a specific neighborhood or area within a city, often with a distinct identity or historical significance..

barrio🔊A1

Use 'barrio' when referring to a specific neighborhood or area within a city, often with a distinct identity or historical significance.

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zona🔊A2

Use 'zona' to describe a general part or area of a city, often characterized by a specific type of activity or atmosphere (e.g., a quiet zone, a commercial zone).

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vecindario🔊A2

Use 'vecindario' to refer to a neighborhood, emphasizing the community of people living in a particular section of a city.

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distrito🔊A2

Use 'distrito' for an official administrative or geographical division of a city or region, often used in governmental or legal contexts.

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sector🔊B1

Use 'sector' when referring to a specific, often delimited, administrative or functional area within a larger region, frequently used by authorities like police.

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colonia🔊B1

Use 'colonia' for a subdivision of a city, especially common in Mexico and some other Latin American countries for residential areas.

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pagos🔊B2

Use 'pagos' to refer to a rural area, territory, or region, often used informally or in a slightly archaic sense, particularly in Argentina and Uruguay.

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English → Spanish

barrio

/BAH-rryo//ˈba.rjo/

NounA1General
Use 'barrio' when referring to a specific neighborhood or area within a city, often with a distinct identity or historical significance.
A colorful illustration depicting a quiet street lined with several small, distinct houses, representing a typical neighborhood or local area.

Examples

¿En qué barrio vives de Madrid?

Which neighborhood of Madrid do you live in?

Este barrio tiene muchas tiendas pequeñas y cafés.

This district has many small shops and cafes.

El ayuntamiento está planeando mejorar los parques del barrio residencial.

The city council is planning to improve the parks in the residential neighborhood.

Masculine Noun Rule

Since 'barrio' is a masculine noun, always use the masculine articles: 'el barrio' (the neighborhood) or 'un barrio' (a neighborhood).

Confusing 'barrio' and 'pueblo'

Mistake: “Using 'barrio' when referring to a small, separate town.”

Correction: A 'barrio' is a part of a larger city. If it's a small town outside a major city, use 'pueblo'.

zona

/SO-na//ˈsona/

NounA2General
Use 'zona' to describe a general part or area of a city, often characterized by a specific type of activity or atmosphere (e.g., a quiet zone, a commercial zone).
A stylized illustration of a forest area clearly marked with a distinct boundary line on a simplified map, representing a geographical area.

Examples

Vivo en una zona muy tranquila de la ciudad.

I live in a very quiet area of the city.

Esta es una zona peatonal, no se permiten coches.

This is a pedestrian zone, cars are not allowed.

La zona comercial cierra a las nueve de la noche.

The commercial district closes at nine at night.

Always Feminine: 'la zona'

Even though it doesn't end in '-a' like many feminine words, 'zona' is always feminine. So, you'll always use words like 'la', 'una', 'esta', or 'mucha' with it. For example: 'la zona bonita' (the pretty area).

Using 'el' instead of 'la'

Mistake: “Fui a el zona comercial.”

Correction: Fui a la zona comercial. Remember that 'zona' is a feminine word, so it needs 'la' not 'el'.

vecindario

veh-seen-DAHR-ee-oh/besinˈdaɾjo/

NounA2General
Use 'vecindario' to refer to a neighborhood, emphasizing the community of people living in a particular section of a city.
A view of a cheerful neighborhood street with multiple simple, colorful houses lined up among green trees.

Examples

Mi vecindario es muy tranquilo y seguro.

My neighborhood is very quiet and safe.

Necesitamos mejorar la iluminación en todo el vecindario.

We need to improve the lighting throughout the entire neighborhood.

Todo el vecindario se reunió para la fiesta anual.

The whole community (neighborhood) gathered for the annual party.

Masculine Noun Rule

Since 'vecindario' ends in '-o', it is a masculine word and always uses 'el' or 'un' (el vecindario, un vecindario).

Confusing 'vecindario' and 'vecino'

Mistake: “Using 'vecino' when you mean the place.”

Correction: 'Vecindario' is the place (the neighborhood). 'Vecino' is the person (the neighbor).

distrito

/dis-TREE-toh//disˈtɾito/

nounA2Formal/Administrative
Use 'distrito' for an official administrative or geographical division of a city or region, often used in governmental or legal contexts.
A stylized aerial view illustration showing a green landscape clearly divided by a dashed line. On one side are a few red houses, representing one administrative area, and on the other side are a few blue houses, representing a separate area.

Examples

El ayuntamiento dividió la ciudad en varios distritos.

The city council divided the city into several districts.

Vamos a visitar el distrito histórico mañana.

We are going to visit the historical district tomorrow.

Ella fue elegida para representar al distrito electoral número cinco.

She was elected to represent the fifth electoral district.

Masculine Noun Rule

Since 'distrito' ends in 'o,' it is a masculine noun. Always use 'el' (the) or 'un' (a) before it, and make sure any descriptive words (adjectives) also end in 'o,' like 'el distrito nuevo' (the new district).

Confusing 'Distrito' and 'Barrio'

Mistake: “Using 'distrito' when you mean a small, informal neighborhood.”

Correction: 'Distrito' refers to a large, official administrative division. For a specific neighborhood where people live, use 'barrio': 'Vivo en este barrio' (I live in this neighborhood).

sector

sek-TOR/sekˈtoɾ/

nounB1Formal/Administrative
Use 'sector' when referring to a specific, often delimited, administrative or functional area within a larger region, frequently used by authorities like police.
A colorful storybook map showing an aerial view of a town where one specific neighborhood cluster of houses is distinctly outlined and colored bright yellow, distinguishing it as a specific physical area or zone.

Examples

La policía acordonó ese sector de la ciudad después del accidente.

The police cordoned off that sector of the city after the accident.

Este sector del estadio ofrece una mejor vista del campo.

This section of the stadium offers a better view of the field.

El mapa muestra los sectores asignados a cada equipo de limpieza.

The map shows the zones assigned to each cleaning crew.

colonia

/koh-LOH-nee-ah//koˈlo.nja/

nounB1General/Regional
Use 'colonia' for a subdivision of a city, especially common in Mexico and some other Latin American countries for residential areas.
A small, simple historical settlement of several identical houses clustered together near a flagpole on a green hill.

Examples

La colonia Roma es una de las más antiguas de la Ciudad de México.

The Roma neighborhood is one of the oldest in Mexico City.

La India fue una colonia británica durante muchos años.

India was a British colony for many years.

Necesito ir a la colonia Condesa; ¿sabes cómo llegar?

I need to go to the Condesa neighborhood; do you know how to get there?

Always Feminine

Even when talking about a large territory or a large district, 'colonia' is always a feminine noun, requiring 'la' or 'una'.

pagos

/pah-gohs//ˈpa.ɣos/

nounB2Informal/Regional
Use 'pagos' to refer to a rural area, territory, or region, often used informally or in a slightly archaic sense, particularly in Argentina and Uruguay.
A small, cozy village with red-roofed houses nestled in a green valley with rolling hills.

Examples

¿Qué te trae por estos pagos?

What brings you to these parts?

Extraño los pagos donde nací.

I miss the lands where I was born.

Regional Meaning

In this context, 'pagos' doesn't mean money. It comes from an old word for a rural district or village.

Distinguishing between 'barrio', 'zona', and 'distrito'

Learners often confuse 'barrio', 'zona', and 'distrito'. Remember that 'barrio' and 'vecindario' refer to neighborhoods, often with a social or historical feel. 'Zona' is a more general area, while 'distrito' is typically an official administrative division.

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