Inklingo

How to Say "outskirts" in Spanish

English → Spanish

afueras

/a-FWEH-rahs//aˈfweɾas/

nounB1general
Use 'afueras' when referring specifically to the outer, often less developed, residential or industrial areas of a city or town, distinct from the center.
A simple colorful storybook illustration showing the transition zone between a dense city and open countryside. On one side are tall, colorful buildings, and on the other are rolling green hills and a few isolated small houses.

Examples

Vivimos en las afueras de la ciudad, donde el aire es más limpio.

We live on the outskirts of the city, where the air is cleaner.

Mi casa está en las afueras, lejos del ruido del centro.

My house is on the outskirts, far from the city center noise.

Tuvimos que manejar a las afueras para encontrar un estacionamiento gratuito.

We had to drive to the suburbs to find free parking.

Las afueras de Madrid son muy verdes y tranquilas.

The outskirts of Madrid are very green and quiet.

Always Plural

Even if you are talking about just one city's outskirts, 'afueras' is always used in the plural form (las afueras).

Using the Singular

Mistake: “La afuera de la ciudad.”

Correction: Las afueras de la ciudad. Remember that this word is fixed in the plural form.

alrededores

/al-reh-deh-DOH-rehs//alreðeˈðoɾes/

nounB1general
Use 'alrededores' to describe the general vicinity or surrounding area, which can include the outskirts of a town but also natural landscapes or regions around a place.
A small cozy cottage in the center of a landscape with rolling green hills, a winding stream, and colorful trees.

Examples

Los alrededores del pueblo son muy pintorescos, con colinas y bosques.

The surroundings of the town are very picturesque, with hills and forests.

Me gusta caminar por los alrededores del lago.

I like to walk around the surroundings of the lake.

Vivimos en los alrededores de Madrid.

We live on the outskirts of Madrid.

Hay muchos castillos antiguos en los alrededores.

There are many old castles in the surrounding area.

Always Plural

Even though 'surroundings' can sometimes feel like a single area, in Spanish we almost always use this word in its plural form: 'los alrededores'.

Alrededor vs. Alrededores

Mistake: “Using 'el alrededor' to mean 'the area around'.”

Correction: Use 'los alrededores' for the noun (the area). Use 'alrededor' without the 'es' when you want to say 'around' as a direction, like 'mirar alrededor' (to look around).

Afueras vs. Alrededores

Learners often confuse 'afueras' and 'alrededores' because both can refer to areas outside a city center. Remember that 'afueras' is almost exclusively used for the urban fringe, while 'alrededores' is broader and can encompass natural landscapes surrounding any location, not just a city.

Related Translations

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