plaza de toros
/ˌplaθa de ˈtoɾos/
The English phrase "bull ring" is translated into Spanish as plaza de toros.
plaza de toros refers to the area in which a bullfight takes place. If you are referring to temporary bull rings, you can use the term plaza de toros portátil. The word tendido is used to describe specific parts of a bull ring, such as the rows or sections where spectators sit.
Meaning: area in which a bullfight takes place (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase plaza de toros literally translates to "bullfighting square". In this context, plaza refers to a public square or arena and toros means bulls.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The term coso taurino is commonly used in Spain and some Latin American countries.
How does it change in a sentence?
When using the plural form, las plazas de toros, only the article and the noun plaza change to plural. The prepositional phrase de toros remains unchanged.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˌplaθa de ˈtoɾos/
Did you know?
- The word plaza in plaza de toros shares an ancient lineage with the English word 'plate', as both trace back to the Proto-Indo-European root meaning 'flat' or 'broad'.
- In Spain, a plaza de toros often serves as a venue for concerts and festivals during the off-season.
- The term coso in coso taurino is an archaic word for a place of confinement or a cage.
Examples in context
- En la ciudad de Mérida, visité la hermosa plaza de toros.In the city of Mérida, I visited the beautiful bull ring.
- Me gustaría presenciar una corrida de toros en el antiguo coso taurino de Madrid.I would like to witness a bullfight in the old bull ring of Madrid.
- El sábado pasado, fuimos a la plaza para ver una corrida de toros.Last Saturday, we went to the bull ring to watch a bullfight.
- Durante las fiestas de San Fermín, instalan una plaza de toros portátil en el centro de la ciudad.During the San Fermín festivities, they set up a temporary bull ring in the city center.
- La plaza de toros es muy grande.The bullring is very large.
- Nos vemos frente a la plaza de toros.We will see each other in front of the bullring.
- Hay mucha gente en la plaza de toros.There are many people in the bullring.
Example conversation
Lucía and Javier are meeting up before a local event.
- Lucía¿Dónde estás, Javier?Where are you, Javier?
- JavierEstoy cerca de la plaza de toros.I am near the bullring.
- LucíaVale, voy para allá ahora.Okay, I'm going there now.
- JavierTe espero en la entrada.I'll wait for you at the entrance.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry plaza de toros, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries de, plaza, CC BY-SA 4.0.
