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How to Say "row" in Spanish

English → Spanish

fila

/FEE-lah//ˈfi.la/

nounA2general
Use 'fila' when referring to a line or arrangement of people or objects, typically in a horizontal or parallel formation, like seats in a theater or cars in a line.
A horizontal arrangement of six identical, brightly colored chairs lined up perfectly side-by-side.

Examples

Esperamos en la fila para comprar las entradas.

We waited in line to buy the tickets.

Nos sentamos en la tercera fila del teatro.

We sat in the third row of the theater.

El agricultor plantó tres filas de maíz.

The farmer planted three rows of corn.

Rows vs. Columns

In charts or spreadsheets, 'fila' is the horizontal arrangement (the row), while 'columna' is the vertical arrangement (the column).

bronca

/BRON-kah//ˈbɾoŋka/

nounB1informal
Use 'bronca' to describe a loud, angry argument or quarrel, often implying a scolding or a serious disagreement.
A mother wagging her finger at a child who looks remorseful.

Examples

Mi padre me echó una bronca por no hacer mis deberes.

My father gave me a scolding for not doing my homework.

Mi jefe me echó una bronca por llegar tarde.

My boss gave me a scolding for arriving late.

Hubo una bronca tremenda en la calle anoche.

There was a huge row in the street last night.

No busques bronca con él, que hoy está de mal humor.

Don't look for a fight with him; he's in a bad mood today.

Using 'Echar'

To say someone is 'giving a scolding,' Spanish uses the verb 'echar' (to throw). Think of it as 'throwing a scolding' at someone.

Plural Use

While you can have 'una bronca' (one argument), people often use it in singular even if many people are involved.

Don't use 'dar' for scolding

Mistake: “Mi madre me dio una bronca.”

Correction: Mi madre me echó una bronca. (Use 'echar' when the action is directed at a person as a reprimand).

pleito

/PLAY-toh//ˈplei.to/

nounA2general
Use 'pleito' to refer to a dispute, quarrel, or fight, often between two or more people, and can sometimes imply a more formal legal context, though it's also used for general arguments.
Two angry cartoon cats arching their backs and facing each other in a disagreement.

Examples

Los vecinos tuvieron un pleito por el ruido.

The neighbors had a dispute over the noise.

Ellos siempre tienen un pleito por la limpieza de la casa.

They always have a fight about cleaning the house.

No busques pleito con los vecinos.

Don't look for trouble/fights with the neighbors.

Se armó un pleito enorme en la fiesta.

A huge fight broke out at the party.

Using 'Con'

When you want to say who the fight is with, use 'con' (with), just like in English: 'un pleito con mi hermano'.

Not just physical

Mistake: “Thinking 'pleito' only means a fistfight.”

Correction: It usually refers to a long-running argument or a verbal dispute.

Argument vs. Arrangement

The most common mistake is confusing the Spanish words for arguments ('bronca', 'pleito') with the word for a physical line ('fila'). Remember that 'fila' is about physical order, while 'bronca' and 'pleito' are about verbal conflicts.

Related Translations

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