How to Say "slum" in Spanish
The Spanish word for “slum” is “suburbio” — B1 level.
Examples
Muchos trabajadores humildes viven en el suburbio.
Many humble workers live in the poor outskirts.
El gobierno quiere mejorar las calles de los suburbios.
The government wants to improve the streets in the slums.
Crecí en un suburbio alejado del ruido del centro.
I grew up in a peripheral neighborhood away from the city center noise.
False Friend Alert!
In English, 'suburb' usually means a nice, middle-class area. In Spanish, 'suburbio' often implies a very poor area or a slum. Be careful not to use it as a direct translation for your nice neighborhood!
Masculine Noun Patterns
This word ends in -o, making it masculine. You will always use 'el' or 'un' with it: 'el suburbio'.
Using it for 'nice' areas
Mistake: “Vivo en un suburbio de lujo.”
Correction: Vivo en una zona residencial de las afueras.
Related Translations
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