ciudad natal
/θjudad natal/from spelling rules
In Spanish, the English phrase 'hometown' is translated as ciudad natal.
The term refers to the place of one's birth or residence. Depending on the context, other phrases like tierra natal may also be used to mean 'hometown'.
Meaning: place of birth or residence (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase ciudad natal literally translates to 'birth city'.
Which one should you use?
While ciudad natal refers specifically to a city, you should use pueblo natal if the hometown is a small town or village. The phrase lugar de origen translates to 'place of origin' and serves as another way to describe where one is from.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In certain Latin American countries, the phrase patria chica is commonly used instead of ciudad natal or lugar de origen.
How does it change in a sentence?
To say 'my hometown', use the possessive adjective mi before the phrase, resulting in mi ciudad natal.
How do you pronounce it?
/θjudad natal/
Did you know?
- The word natal has a linguistic sibling in the word nadal, which is used in some regions to mean 'Christmas'.
- In some Latin American regions, identifying with one's patria chica is a way to signal local loyalty when national politics are divisive.
- The term paisanos for people from the same ciudad natal implies a level of mutual trust and shared regional identity that goes beyond simply being from the same place.
Examples in context
- Mi ciudad natal es Solikamsk.My hometown is Solikamsk.This sentence is useful for identifying a specific location using ciudad natal.Tatoeba #12913802 by ecorralest101, translation #12913807 by rul
- Mi ciudad natal es muy bonita.My hometown is very pretty.This sentence is useful for describing a quality of one's ciudad natal.Tatoeba #636894 by Leono, translation #474080 by CM
- La nieve me recuerda a mi ciudad natal.Snow reminds me of my hometown.This sentence is useful for expressing a memory or feeling associated with one's ciudad natal.Tatoeba #1254465 by Shishir, translation #272608 by CK
- Mi ciudad natal es Madrid.My hometown is Madrid.
- Barcelona es mi lugar de origen.Barcelona is my hometown/place of origin.
- Me encanta mi pueblo, es muy tranquilo.I love my hometown, it's very peaceful.
- Siempre llevo en mi corazón a mi querido terruño.I always carry my beloved hometown in my heart.
- ¿Cuál es tu ciudad natal?What is your hometown?
- ¿De dónde eres?Where are you from?
- ¿Cuál es tu lugar de origen?What is your place of origin?
- En mi pueblo, la gente es muy amigable.In my hometown, people are very friendly.
- Barcelona es mi lugar de origen, pero actualmente vivo en…Barcelona is my hometown/place of origin, but I currently live in…
- 11 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alejandro and María are talking about travel during lunch.
- Alejandro¿Es tu ciudad natal muy grande?Is your hometown very big?
- MaríaNo, mi ciudad natal es pequeña.No, my hometown is small.
- AlejandroParece un lugar tranquilo para vivir.It seems like a peaceful place to live.
- MaríaSí, es muy relajante.Yes, it is very relaxing.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ciudad, natal, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
