este
/ˈeste/masculine
In Spanish, the English phrase 'east' is translated as este. Wiktionary also lists oriente and levante.
Meaning: compass point (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| este | /ˈeste/ | masculine |
| oriente | /oˈɾjente/ | masculine |
| levante | /leˈbante/ | masculine |
The term is used to denote the compass point.
Which one should you use?
While este is the standard word for the compass point, oriente is often used in more formal, literary or geographical contexts to refer to the East.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In certain contexts, particularly in Spain, levante refers specifically to the eastern part of the country or the direction from which the sun rises.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When using este as a noun to refer to the direction, it is almost always preceded by the definite article el.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈeste/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers may be confused because este is also the masculine singular demonstrative adjective meaning 'this'. Context is required to distinguish the compass point from the pronoun/adjective.
Did you know?
- The Spanish word for 'east', este, is a linguistic twin to the English word 'Austria'. Both words trace their ancestry back to the same Proto-Indo-European root for the rising sun.
- In Spain, levante is not just a direction but also the name of a specific wind that blows from the east.
- While 'east' is a direction, the Spanish word levante literally describes the action of the sun 'rising' or 'lifting' itself over the horizon.
Examples in context
- ¿Dónde está el este?Which direction is east?This sentence is useful for asking which direction is este.Tatoeba #2278564 by Shishir, translation #8964556 by sundown
- El avión voló al este.The plane flew east.This sentence shows how to say the plane flew toward este.Tatoeba #4710271 by DarkHollow, translation #318097 by CM
- Soy del oeste del este.I am west of the east.This sentence illustrates the phrase 'west of the east' using este.Tatoeba #1477973 by marcelostockle, translation #704729 by Zifre
- Está al esteIt is to the east
- 42 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Javier and Lucía are looking at a map of the city.
- JavierEl centro está hacia el este.The center is toward the east.
- LucíaEntonces debemos girar a la derecha.Then we should turn right.
- JavierSí, el este es por aquí.Yes, the east is this way.
- LucíaGracias por ayudarme, Javier.Thank you for helping me, Javier.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “east” translations and entries este, oriente, levante, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries este, levante, oriente, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
