Inklingo

How to Say "edge" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “edge” is “borde” — use 'borde' for the physical outer limit or boundary of something, like a pool, a cliff, or a table.

borde🔊A2

Use 'borde' for the physical outer limit or boundary of something, like a pool, a cliff, or a table.

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orilla🔊B1

Use 'orilla' for the limit or side of a flat surface like a table, road, or riverbank.

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extremo🔊B1

Use 'extremo' to refer to the furthest point or border, often of an area like a beach or a property.

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canto🔊B1

Use 'canto' for the side of an object, especially when it's a corner or a distinct edge.

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filo🔊A2

Use 'filo' specifically for the sharp cutting edge of a blade, knife, or similar object.

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límiteA2

Use 'límite' to denote the boundary or outer limit, often in a more abstract or formal sense, like property lines or a deadline.

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bordo🔊B2

Use 'bordo' for the side or boundary of an object, often implying a more finished or constructed edge.

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punta🔊B1

Use 'punta' to refer to the tip or end point, which can function as an edge, especially for geographical features like capes.

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vera🔊B1

Use 'vera' to describe the boundary or side of something, often a path or a natural feature like a riverbank.

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labio🔊A1

Use 'labio' for the rim of a wound or an anatomical fold, like lips.

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esquina🔊A1

Use 'esquina' specifically for the corner where two lines or surfaces meet, like the corner of a street or a room.

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English → Spanish

borde

BOAR-dehˈboɾ.ðe

nounA2general
Use 'borde' for the physical outer limit or boundary of something, like a pool, a cliff, or a table.
A simple colorful illustration showing a clear, distinct boundary where a grassy field meets a sandy beach, emphasizing the line where one surface ends and the other begins.

Examples

Ten cuidado de no caerte del borde de la piscina.

Be careful not to fall off the edge of the pool.

El borde del plato estaba decorado con oro.

The rim of the plate was decorated with gold.

Estábamos al borde de la desesperación.

We were on the verge of desperation.

Masculine Noun Rule

'Borde' is always a masculine noun, so you must use 'el' or 'un' before it.

Confusing 'Borde' and 'Esquina'

Mistake: “Using 'borde' when you mean 'corner' (esquina).”

Correction: Use 'borde' for the length of an edge, and 'esquina' for where two edges meet.

orilla

oh-REE-yahoˈɾiʝa

nounB1general
Use 'orilla' for the limit or side of a flat surface like a table, road, or riverbank.
A simple illustration focusing on the sharp, straight boundary where the flat wooden surface of a tabletop ends, representing an edge.

Examples

Ten cuidado, el plato está justo en la orilla de la mesa.

Be careful, the plate is right on the edge of the table.

Vivimos en la orilla de la ciudad, cerca del campo.

We live on the border/outskirts of the city, near the countryside.

Figurative Use

Just like in English, 'orilla' can be used figuratively to mean being close to a major change or emotion (e.g., 'on the edge of success').

extremo

eks-TREH-moheksˈtɾemo

nounB1general
Use 'extremo' to refer to the furthest point or border, often of an area like a beach or a property.
A winding dirt road that terminates abruptly at a tall wooden fence in the middle of a field, marking the physical end of the path.

Examples

Llegamos al extremo de la playa.

We arrived at the end/edge of the beach.

Él siempre lleva las cosas al extremo.

He always takes things to the extreme (or limits).

Asegura el extremo libre de la cuerda.

Secure the free end of the rope.

Using 'Extremo' as a Noun

When used as a noun, 'extremo' (masculine) refers to a specific point or boundary, often physical. If referring to a body part, use 'extremidad' (limb/extremity, feminine).

canto

KAN-tohˈkanto

nounB1general
Use 'canto' for the side of an object, especially when it's a corner or a distinct edge.
A solid, simple, purple geometric block resting on a flat surface, with one sharp vertical edge clearly emphasized.

Examples

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.

filo

FEE-lohˈfi.lo

nounA2general
Use 'filo' specifically for the sharp cutting edge of a blade, knife, or similar object.
A close-up illustration of the sharp, shining edge of a silver knife blade.

Examples

Ten cuidado, el cuchillo tiene mucho filo.

Be careful, the knife has a very sharp edge.

Le saqué filo a las tijeras porque no cortaban bien.

I sharpened the scissors because they weren't cutting well.

La espada perdió su filo después de la batalla.

The sword lost its edge after the battle.

Using 'tener' with 'filo'

In Spanish, we say a knife 'has edge' (tiene filo) rather than saying it 'is sharp' (es afilado), though both are possible. 'Tiene filo' is the most natural way to describe it in a kitchen.

The preposition 'al'

When using 'filo' to mean the 'brink' of time, always use 'al filo de' (at the edge of). Example: 'Al filo de la medianoche' (Right at/around midnight).

Filo vs. Afilado

Mistake: “El cuchillo está filo.”

Correction: El cuchillo tiene filo o está afilado.

límite

nounA2general
Use 'límite' to denote the boundary or outer limit, often in a more abstract or formal sense, like property lines or a deadline.

Examples

Esta valla marca el límite de nuestra propiedad.

This fence marks the boundary/edge of our property.

bordo

BOR-dohˈboɾ.ðo

nounB2general
Use 'bordo' for the side or boundary of an object, often implying a more finished or constructed edge.
A high quality simple colorful storybook illustration focusing on the sharp, straight boundary edge of a rectangular wooden table.

Examples

El carpintero lijó el bordo de la mesa para suavizarlo.

The carpenter sanded the edge of the table to smooth it.

Tuvimos que reforzar el bordo del pozo.

We had to reinforce the rim of the well.

punta

POON-tahˈpunta

nounB1general
Use 'punta' to refer to the tip or end point, which can function as an edge, especially for geographical features like capes.
A simple illustration showing a straight row of five identical red blocks, highlighting the last block at the end of the row.

Examples

La Punta Cana es un destino turístico muy famoso.

Punta Cana is a very famous tourist destination (referring to the cape/headland).

Nos encontramos en la punta de la calle.

We met at the end of the street.

Geographical Use

When referring to a geographical feature like a cape, 'punta' is often part of a proper noun (e.g., Punta del Este).

vera

VAY-rahˈbeɾa

nounB1general
Use 'vera' to describe the boundary or side of something, often a path or a natural feature like a riverbank.
A close-up view of the distinct boundary between a lush green grassy field and the calm, clear blue water of a pond or river.

Examples

Caminamos por la vera del camino hasta encontrar el pueblo.

We walked along the edge of the road until we found the town.

El picnic fue a la vera del río, bajo un gran árbol.

The picnic was on the bank of the river, under a large tree.

Always Feminine

Remember to always use the feminine article 'la' with 'vera': 'la vera'.

Confusing with 'Verdad'

Mistake: “Using 'vera' when you mean 'truth' (verdad).”

Correction: 'Vera' refers to a physical edge; use 'verdad' for truth.

labio

lah-bee-ohˈla.βjo

nounA1general
Use 'labio' for the rim of a wound or an anatomical fold, like lips.
A close-up illustration of a pair of human lips smiling slightly.

Examples

Tengo los labios secos por el frío.

My lips are dry because of the cold.

Ella se pintó los labios de color rojo.

She painted her lips red.

El niño se mordió el labio inferior porque tenía miedo.

The boy bit his lower lip because he was scared.

Using 'The' instead of 'My'

In Spanish, we usually use words like 'el' or 'los' (the) instead of 'mi' (my) when talking about body parts. Instead of 'Mis labios están secos,' say 'Tengo los labios secos.'

Always Masculine

The word 'labio' is always masculine, even if it refers to a woman's lips. You will always say 'el labio' or 'los labios.'

Confusing 'labio' and 'boca'

Mistake: “Me duele el labio (when you mean your whole mouth).”

Correction: Me duele la boca. Use 'labio' specifically for the fleshy parts, and 'boca' for the entire mouth structure.

esquina

ess-KEE-nahesˈkina

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

Examples

La farmacia está en la esquina de la calle principal.

The pharmacy is on the corner/edge 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).

Edge vs. Corner vs. Sharp Edge

Learners often confuse 'borde', 'canto', and 'esquina'. Remember that 'esquina' is strictly a corner, while 'borde' is a general edge or limit. 'Canto' is often used for the edge of an object, especially a more defined one, and 'filo' is exclusively for the sharp edge of a blade.

Related Translations

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