la escuela
/la eskwela/from spelling rules
la escuela is the Spanish phrase for "the school."
This phrase refers to an institution where children go to be educated.
Which one should you use?
While la escuela is a general term, other words may be more specific. In Spain, el instituto is a formal way to refer to la escuela, especially for secondary education. In some Latin American countries, el colegio is used as a formal synonym for la escuela, particularly for private or prestigious schools. In Venezuela or Uruguay, el liceo is used to refer to secondary education.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of la escuela is las escuelas.
How do you pronounce it?
/la eskwela/
Did you know?
- The word escuela is an ironic survivor from Ancient Greek, where it originally meant 'leisure' or 'free time'. It refers to the idea that true learning only happens during one's spare time, away from the demands of work.
- The word escuela is used in Spanish to describe a specific style or movement in art and philosophy, such as la escuela de Salamanca.
- The Spanish word escuela and the English word 'scholar' are cognates, as both originate from the same Latin root for a place of learning.
Examples in context
- En mi país, los estudiantes van al instituto desde los 12 hasta los 18 años.In my country, students go to 'el instituto' from the age of 12 to 18.
- El colegio al que asisto es reconocido por su excelencia académica.The school I attend is renowned for its academic excellence.
- Después del cole, vamos a jugar al parque.After school, we're going to play at the park.
- Voy a salir temprano del liceo hoy.I'm going to leave school early today.
- Voy a la escuela.I go to school.
- La escuela es muy grande.The school is very large.
- Los niños caminan a la escuela.The children walk to the school.
- Mi hermana estudia en la escuela.My sister studies at the school.
Example conversation
Alejandro and Lucía are talking about their morning routine.
- Alejandro¿A qué hora vas a la escuela?What time do you go to school?
- LucíaVoy a las ocho de la mañana.I go at eight in the morning.
- AlejandroYo también voy a la escuela ahora.I am also going to school now.
- Lucía¡Entonces vamos juntos, Alejandro!Then let's go together, Alejandro!
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries escuela, la, CC BY-SA 4.0.
