Inklingo

How to Say "kilometers" in Spanish

English → Spanish

kilómetros

nounA1formal
Use 'kilómetros' when referring to the standard metric unit of distance, such as how far away a place is.

Examples

El viaje dura aproximadamente trescientos kilómetros.

The trip lasts approximately three hundred kilometers.

kilos

/KEE-lohs//ˈkilos/

nounA1informal
Use 'kilos' as an informal abbreviation for distance, but be aware it's much more commonly used for kilograms (weight). Context is key to understanding if 'kilos' refers to distance or weight.
A perfectly balanced scale showing a standardized block weight on the left pan and a pile of colorful oranges equal in mass on the right pan.

Examples

Vive a unos pocos kilos de aquí, en el pueblo de al lado.

He lives a few kilos away from here, in the next town.

Quiero comprar tres kilos de patatas, por favor.

I want to buy three kilos of potatoes, please.

Mi maleta pesa veinte kilos, ¡es demasiado para el avión!

My suitcase weighs twenty kilos, it's too much for the plane!

Necesitas caminar varios kilos para llegar a la playa desde aquí.

You need to walk several kilometers to get to the beach from here. (Informal use for distance)

Always Masculine

Even though this word ends in '-os,' it comes from 'el kilogramo' (the kilogram), so always use masculine words like 'muchos' or 'los' before it: 'los kilos,' 'muchos kilos.'

Using the wrong article

Mistake: “La kilos.”

Correction: Los kilos. Remember that all measurements ending in -gramo are masculine.

Confusing 'kilos' for distance vs. weight

The most common mistake is using 'kilos' when you specifically mean the unit of distance, 'kilómetros'. While 'kilos' can sometimes refer to distance informally, it almost always means kilograms (weight) in everyday conversation. Stick to 'kilómetros' for any clear measurement of distance.

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