biblioteca
everyday, Mexico
In Mexico a library is biblioteca. Do not confuse it with librería, which is a bookstore where you buy books.
Say Voy a la biblioteca to mean you are going to read or study. A person who works there is a bibliotecario or bibliotecaria.
Meaning: place with books to read or borrow (noun)
Which one should you use?
English speakers often say librería by mistake for "library". In Spanish librería is a shop and biblioteca is where you borrow books.
When do people say it?
The Biblioteca Vasconcelos in Mexico City is a well known modern library with a huge hall and floating shelves.
Did you know?
- The word biblioteca comes from Greek and joins the words for "book" and "storage".
Examples in context
- Voy a la biblioteca a estudiar.I am going to the library to study.
- ¿A qué hora cierra la biblioteca?What time does the library close?
- Compré un libro en la librería.I bought a book at the bookstore.
Example conversation
Two students, Iván and Ximena, meet outside their university library in Mexico City.
- IvánXimena, ¿vamos a la biblioteca?Ximena, shall we go to the library?
- XimenaSí, necesito un libro para el examen.Yes, I need a book for the exam.
- IvánYo también.Me too.
