Inklingo

How to Say "square" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “square” is “cuadro” — use 'cuadro' when referring to the geometric shape with four equal sides and four right angles..

English → Spanish

cuadro

/KWAA-droh//ˈkwaðɾo/

nounA2general
Use 'cuadro' when referring to the geometric shape with four equal sides and four right angles.
A single, solid yellow geometric square shape.

Examples

Dibuja un cuadro perfecto con cuatro lados iguales.

Draw a perfect square with four equal sides.

El cuadro de la bicicleta es demasiado grande para mí.

The frame of the bicycle is too big for me.

Using 'Cuadrado'

Mistake: “Using 'cuadro' when you mean the adjective 'square-shaped'.”

Correction: Use 'cuadrado' (adjective) to describe something that is square: 'una mesa cuadrada'. Use 'cuadro' (noun) to refer to the object itself: 'un cuadro'.

manzana

/mahn-SAH-nah//manˈsana/

nounB1general
Use 'manzana' when referring to a city block, the area of buildings surrounded by streets.
An aerial view illustration of a square city block containing several buildings, clearly bounded by four surrounding streets.

Examples

El supermercado está a tres manzanas de mi casa.

The supermarket is three blocks from my house.

Tuvimos que dar la vuelta a la manzana para encontrar un aparcamiento.

We had to drive around the block to find parking.

Using 'a' for Distance

When talking about distance using 'manzana' (block), you often use the preposition 'a' (at/to), as in 'a dos manzanas' (two blocks away).

Shape vs. City Block

The most common mistake is using 'cuadro' when you mean a city block. Remember, 'cuadro' is for shapes, while 'manzana' is specifically for the blocks that make up a city's layout.

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