Inklingo

How to Say "walkway" in Spanish

English → Spanish

acera

ah-SEH-rahaˈseɾa

nounA1general
Use 'acera' for the paved path specifically for pedestrians that runs alongside a street or road.
A clean, gray concrete path running alongside a green lawn and a quiet street.

Examples

Por favor, camina por la acera para tu seguridad.

Please walk on the sidewalk for your safety.

Camina por la acera para estar seguro.

Walk on the sidewalk to stay safe.

Las tiendas de esta acera son muy caras.

The shops on this side of the street are very expensive.

El ayuntamiento va a ensanchar las aceras del centro.

The city council is going to widen the sidewalks downtown.

Gender Identification

Like most Spanish words ending in '-a', 'acera' is feminine. You should always use 'la' or 'una' with it.

Talking about Movement

Use the word 'por' when you want to say you are walking 'along' or 'down' the sidewalk (e.g., 'Caminar por la acera').

Don't confuse with 'cerca'

Mistake: “Estoy caminando en la cerca.”

Correction: Estoy caminando por la acera.

pasarela

pah-sah-REH-lahpasaˈɾela

nounA2general
Use 'pasarela' for an elevated walkway, often a bridge or footbridge, designed to cross over something like a road, river, or a gap.
A small wooden pedestrian bridge crossing over a calm blue stream.

Examples

Tomamos la pasarela para cruzar el río.

We took the footbridge to cross the river.

Cruza la pasarela para pasar al otro lado de la calle.

Cross the footbridge to get to the other side of the street.

Los pasajeros suben al avión por la pasarela.

Passengers board the plane via the gangway.

Hay una pasarela de madera sobre las dunas de la playa.

There is a wooden walkway over the beach dunes.

Bridge Size

Use 'pasarela' for small bridges meant only for people. Use 'puente' for larger structures that cars can use.

Confusing with Puente

Mistake: “Calling a highway bridge for cars a 'pasarela'.”

Correction: A 'pasarela' is specifically for foot traffic or narrow access.

paseo

pah-seh-ohpaˈseo

nounB1general
Use 'paseo' to refer to a broader pedestrian area or promenade, often a designated space for walking and leisure, not necessarily next to a road.
A wide, paved public walkway stretching alongside a calm blue ocean, with benches and palm trees.

Examples

Nos encanta pasear por el paseo marítimo al atardecer.

We love to stroll along the seaside promenade at sunset.

El Paseo de Gracia es famoso por sus edificios modernistas en Barcelona.

The Paseo de Gracia is famous for its modernist buildings in Barcelona.

Hay mucha gente vendiendo artesanías en el paseo marítimo.

There are many people selling handicrafts on the seaside promenade.

Sidewalk vs. Footbridge vs. Promenade

The most common mistake is using 'acera' for any elevated path. Remember, 'acera' is strictly for the sidewalk next to a street, while 'pasarela' is for raised walkways or bridges. 'Paseo' refers to a leisure walking area.

Related Translations

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