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How to Say "population" in Spanish

English → Spanish

población

nounB1general
Use 'población' when referring to the total number of people in a region, country, or the world, often in a demographic or statistical context.

Examples

La población mundial sigue creciendo rápidamente.

The world population continues to grow rapidly.

habitantes

ah-bee-TAHN-tess/a.βiˈtan.tes/

nounA2general
Use 'habitantes' when specifically referring to the people who live in a particular city, town, or locality, emphasizing them as residents.
A high quality simple colorful storybook illustration showing three diverse, stylized human figures standing outside two small, brightly colored houses, representing people who live in a community.

Examples

La ciudad de México tiene más de 20 millones de habitantes.

Mexico City has more than 20 million inhabitants.

Los habitantes de la costa dependen de la pesca para vivir.

The residents of the coast depend on fishing to live.

El censo mostró una disminución en el número de habitantes rurales.

The census showed a decrease in the number of rural residents.

Singular vs. Plural

This word is already plural. The singular form is habitante (resident), which is used when talking about one person.

Habitantes vs. Habitaciones

Mistake: “Using 'habitantes' when you mean 'rooms' (*habitaciones*).”

Correction: Remember, *habitantes* are the people who live there, and *habitaciones* are the physical rooms. They sound similar but mean completely different things.

Población vs. Habitantes

Learners often confuse 'población' and 'habitantes'. Remember that 'población' is the broader term for the total number of people (like world population), while 'habitantes' refers specifically to the residents of a particular place (like the inhabitants of a city).

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