Inklingo

How to Say "east" in Spanish

English → Spanish

este

/ES-teh//ˈeste/

NounB1General
Use 'este' as the standard, everyday word for the cardinal direction 'east' in most contexts, including general conversation and writing.
An old-fashioned compass with the letter 'E' for East slightly glowing.

Examples

El sol siempre sale por el este.

The sun always rises in the east.

Mi ventana mira hacia el este.

My window faces east.

Always with 'el'

When 'este' means 'east', it's a masculine noun and is almost always used with 'el' right before it: 'el este'.

oriente

/oh-ree-EHN-teh//oˈɾjen.te/

NounB1General/Literary
Use 'oriente' when you want to refer to the east, often in a more literary, poetic, or geographical context, or when referring to 'the East' as a region.
A bright orange sun peaking over a flat blue ocean horizon line, symbolizing the direction of East.

Examples

El sol siempre sale por el oriente.

The sun always rises in the east.

Mi casa está al oriente de la ciudad.

My house is to the east of the city.

Estudiamos la historia del Lejano Oriente.

We are studying the history of the Far East.

Masculine Direction

All four cardinal directions (oriente, occidente, norte, sur) are masculine nouns in Spanish, so they use 'el'.

Mixing Oriente and Este

Mistake: “Using 'Este' (which means 'this') when referring to the direction in more formal or literary contexts.”

Correction: 'Oriente' is often preferred over 'este' in formal writing or when referring to the region (The Orient). Both are correct for the direction 'east'.

est

/est//est/

AbbreviationA1Informal/Technical
Use 'est' strictly as a written abbreviation for 'este', commonly found in maps, navigation, or concise directional instructions.
A high quality storybook illustration showing the golden sun halfway risen above a calm blue ocean horizon, symbolizing the direction east.

Examples

El puerto está al est de la ciudad.

The port is east of the city.

El puerto está al **est** de la ciudad.

The port is east of the city.

Nota: **est** problema debe resolverse mañana.

Note: this problem must be solved tomorrow. (Used in a quick note)

Written Shorthand

This abbreviation is used to save space in written notes or technical documents, but it is not a word you should use when speaking standard Spanish. Always say or write the full word 'este'.

Do Not Confuse with the Verb 'Están'

Mistake: “Writing 'est' when you mean 'he/she/it is' (está).”

Correction: The verb form is 'está' (with an accent mark on the 'a'). 'Est' without an accent is only an abbreviation for 'este' (this/east). Never drop the accent on the verb form!

Este vs. Oriente vs. Est

Learners often wonder if there's a significant difference between 'este' and 'oriente'. While both mean 'east', 'este' is the default and most common. 'Est' should only be used in its abbreviated form, never as a standalone word for the direction.

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