frontera
/fɾonˈteɾa/
The English word 'border' is translated into Spanish as frontera.
The term frontera is used to refer to the line or frontier area that separates various territories.
Meaning: the line or frontier area separating various territories (noun)
Which one should you use?
While frontera refers specifically to a political or national border, límite is used for more general boundaries or limits between properties or concepts.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some Latin American countries like Mexico, línea fronteriza is an alternative to frontera.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of frontera is fronteras.
How do you pronounce it?
/fɾonˈteɾa/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use borde to mean a national border. However, borde actually refers to the physical edge or rim of an object.
Did you know?
- The word frontera shares a common root with the English word 'front', as both stems trace back to the Latin 'frons', meaning 'forehead' or 'brow'.
- In Mexico, the term frontera is often used as a shorthand to describe the entire northern region of the country, rather than just the actual dividing line with the US.
- The suffix -era in frontera is used in Spanish to denote a place or a tool associated with the root word, similar to how it appears in costanera for the coast.
Examples in context
- La frontera está cerrada.The border is closed.Tatoeba #1713641 by marcelostockle, translation #1399667 by CK
- Ayer cruzamos la frontera.We crossed the border yesterday.Tatoeba #2270695 by Shishir, translation #11606176 by qwertzu
- Vivimos cerca de la frontera.We live near the border.Tatoeba #1308721 by Shishir, translation #1308703 by CK
- El gobierno está fortaleciendo la frontera para mejorar la seguridad nacional.The government is strengthening the border to enhance national security.
- El contacto fronterizo puede generar oportunidades de cooperación.Border contact can generate cooperation opportunities.
- 29 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mateo and Elena are discussing their upcoming road trip.
- MateoDebemos pasar la frontera antes de las seis.We must cross the border before six.
- Elena¿Hay mucho tráfico en la frontera?Is there much traffic at the border?
- MateoNo lo sé, pero la frontera suele estar concurrida.I don't know, but the border is usually busy.
- ElenaEntonces salgamos con tiempo, Mateo.Then let's leave with plenty of time, Mateo.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry frontera, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries frontera, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
