Inklingo

How to Say "gap" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “gap” is “espacio” — use this for a general empty area or room between things, or a lack of room..

espacio🔊A1

Use this for a general empty area or room between things, or a lack of room.

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distancia🔊A1

This refers to the measurable space separating two points or objects.

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hueco🔊A2

Use this for a physical opening or space between things, like a hole or gap.

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agujero🔊B1

This refers to a serious lack or deficit, often in finances or resources.

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vacíoB1

This describes an empty space, but often metaphorically, like a void or emptiness in one's life or feelings.

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separaciónB1

This signifies the space kept between objects, often for a specific reason like safety or order.

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puerto🔊B1

This specifically refers to a mountain pass, a low point in a mountain ridge.

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abra🔊B2

Use this for a natural break or opening in land, like a pass through mountains.

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claro🔊B2

This refers to an open space, especially a clearing in a forest or an opening in the clouds.

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hoyo🔊B2

Similar to 'agujero', this implies a noticeable lack or deficit, often in a financial or problematic situation.

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vano🔊C1

This is a more technical term for an architectural opening, like a large space designed for a door or window.

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English → Spanish

espacio

/es-PA-syo//esˈpa.sjo/

NounA1General
Use this for a general empty area or room between things, or a lack of room.
A small car trunk stuffed full of colorful suitcases, with one extra blue suitcase sitting on the ground beside the car, showing there is no room left.

Examples

No hay espacio en el coche para más maletas.

There's no space/room in the car for more suitcases.

Necesitamos más espacio para la mesa nueva.

We need more space for the new table.

Por favor, haz un poco de espacio para que pueda sentarme.

Please, make a little space so I can sit down.

Always Masculine

Even though it ends in 'o', it's good to remember that 'espacio' is always masculine. So, you'll always say 'el espacio' (the space) or 'un espacio' (a space).

'Space' vs. 'Room'

Mistake: “Quiero reservar un espacio en el hotel.”

Correction: Quiero reservar una habitación en el hotel. Use 'habitación' or 'cuarto' for a room in a building like a hotel or house. 'Espacio' refers to general, open area or capacity.

distancia

dees-TAHN-syah/disˈtan.sja/

nounA1General
This refers to the measurable space separating two points or objects.
A visual representation of physical distance showing two brightly colored, small houses separated by a wide, empty green space and a long path.

Examples

¿Cuál es la distancia entre tu casa y la escuela?

What is the distance between your house and the school?

Mantén una distancia segura del fuego.

Keep a safe distance from the fire.

Ellos se conocieron a larga distancia, por internet.

They met over a long distance, online.

Gender Reminder

Remember that 'distancia' is always a feminine noun, so use 'la' before it: 'la distancia'.

Using 'a' vs. 'de'

You often use 'a' (at/to) or 'de' (from) when specifying distance: 'a cinco metros de aquí' (five meters from here).

Confusing 'distancia' and 'trayecto'

Mistake: “Using 'trayecto' when referring to the measurement of space.”

Correction: 'Trayecto' means 'route' or 'journey.' Use 'distancia' for the measured space: 'La distancia es de 10 kilómetros.'

hueco

WAY-kohˈw̝e.ko

nounA2General
Use this for a physical opening or space between things, like a hole or gap.
A small, dark, circular opening in a brown dirt surface.

Examples

Tapa ese hueco en la pared antes de que entre agua.

Cover that hole in the wall before water gets in.

Dejó un gran hueco en su corazón cuando se fue.

He left a big void (or hole) in her heart when he left.

Gender Agreement

As a masculine noun, 'hueco' uses masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., 'el hueco', 'un hueco grande').

agujero

ah-goo-HEH-roh/a.ɣuˈxe.ɾo/

nounB1General
This refers to a serious lack or deficit, often in finances or resources.
A red ceramic piggy bank standing empty, with a visible crack in its side from which a few coins have fallen onto the ground.

Examples

Las nuevas cuentas muestran un agujero fiscal de tres millones de dólares.

The new accounts show a fiscal deficit of three million dollars.

Intentamos tapar el agujero de conocimiento con cursos intensivos.

We tried to fill the knowledge gap with intensive courses.

Figurative Use

Just like in English where you can have a 'hole' in your budget, 'agujero' is used figuratively to mean a severe financial problem or a significant missing amount.

vacío

nounB1General
This describes an empty space, but often metaphorically, like a void or emptiness in one's life or feelings.

Examples

Sintió un gran vacío en su vida después de mudarse.

He felt a great void/emptiness in his life after moving.

separación

NounB1General
This signifies the space kept between objects, often for a specific reason like safety or order.

Examples

La separación entre las mesas es obligatoria por seguridad.

The separation (distance) between the tables is mandatory for safety.

puerto

PWEHR-toh/ˈpweɾto/

nounB1Specific (Geography)
This specifically refers to a mountain pass, a low point in a mountain ridge.
A narrow, winding paved road cutting through a deep valley between two steep, rocky mountains, illustrating a mountain pass.

Examples

La carretera sube hasta el puerto de montaña a 2000 metros.

The road climbs up to the mountain pass at 2000 meters.

Tuvimos que cerrar el puerto por la nieve.

We had to close the mountain pass because of the snow.

Meaning Context

When 'puerto' is used to mean 'mountain pass,' it is almost always followed by 'de montaña' (mountain) or is clear from the context of travel and elevation.

abra

/AH-brah//ˈa.βɾa/

NounB2Specific (Geography)
Use this for a natural break or opening in land, like a pass through mountains.
A visual representation of a geographical gap: two large green hills separated by a narrow, clear path or opening.

Examples

Tuvimos que cruzar la abra de la sierra para llegar al valle.

We had to cross the mountain pass to reach the valley.

La abra en la costa ofrecía un refugio natural para los barcos.

The inlet on the coast offered a natural shelter for the boats.

Gender Note

This noun is feminine: 'la abra'. Note that it does not follow the rule of using 'el' before feminine nouns that start with a stressed 'a' sound, because 'abra' is not stressed on the first syllable.

claro

/KLAH-roh//ˈkla.ɾo/

NounB2Specific (Nature)
This refers to an open space, especially a clearing in a forest or an opening in the clouds.
A sunny clearing in a forest, representing 'un claro' as a noun.

Examples

Vimos un ciervo en un claro del bosque.

We saw a deer in a clearing in the forest.

A través de un claro en las nubes, vimos la luna.

Through a gap in the clouds, we saw the moon.

hoyo

OH-yoh/ˈo.ʝo/

nounB2General
Similar to 'agujero', this implies a noticeable lack or deficit, often in a financial or problematic situation.
A small, empty, overturned wallet with a single coin rolling away, symbolizing lack of money.

Examples

La empresa está en un hoyo financiero muy profundo.

The company is in a very deep financial hole (deficit).

Intentamos salir del hoyo después de la crisis.

We tried to get out of the mess/hole after the crisis.

Figurative Use

This meaning uses 'hoyo' metaphorically, comparing a bad situation, especially one related to money, to being physically trapped in a deep pit.

vano

/VAH-noh//ˈba.no/

NounC1Specific (Architecture)
This is a more technical term for an architectural opening, like a large space designed for a door or window.
A thick red brick wall containing a simple, empty rectangular wooden frame that acts as an opening, revealing a bright blue sky beyond.

Examples

El arquitecto diseñó un gran vano para la puerta principal.

The architect designed a large opening for the main door.

Los vanos de las ventanas permitían la entrada de luz.

The window openings allowed the entry of light.

Always Masculine

When 'vano' is used as a noun meaning 'opening' or 'void,' it is always masculine ('el vano'), regardless of the gender of the object it refers to (like 'la ventana' or 'la puerta').

Physical Openings vs. Deficits

Learners often confuse 'agujero' and 'hoyo' (both meaning a deficit or lack) with words for physical openings like 'hueco' or 'espacio'. Remember that 'agujero' and 'hoyo' are primarily used for abstract lacks, especially financial ones, not for physical holes.

Related Translations

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