Welcome to our guide on how to say “neighbor” in Spanish! Whether you’re learning the language for travel, work, or personal enrichment, knowing how to communicate with your neighbors is essential. In this guide, we’ll cover both formal and informal ways to refer to your neighbor in Spanish, providing you with plenty of tips, examples, and even regional variations. So let’s dive right in!
Table of Contents
Formal Ways to Say Neighbor in Spanish
When it comes to formal situations or addressing your neighbor with respect, you can use the following terms:
- Vecino/Vecina: This is the most common and general term for neighbor in Spanish. It is widely accepted and used in formal settings. For example, you might say “Buenos días, señor vecino” (Good morning, sir neighbor) or “Permiso, vecina” (Excuse me, neighbor).
- Coprovinciano/Coprovinciana: This term is used when you want to refer to someone who is from the same province or region as you. It’s a respectful way to acknowledge your neighbor’s shared background. An example sentence could be “Es un placer tener un coprovinciano como vecino” (It’s a pleasure to have a fellow provincemate as a neighbor).
- Codueño/Codueña: If you and your neighbor happen to co-own a property or have some kind of shared ownership, you can use this term to refer to them politely. For instance, you might say “Hola, codueño, ¿podemos hablar sobre el mantenimiento del jardín?” (Hello, co-owner, can we talk about garden maintenance?).
Informal Ways to Say Neighbor in Spanish
For more casual or informal situations, where you have a friendly relationship with your neighbor, you can use these terms:
- Vecinito/Vecinita: This diminutive form of “vecino” adds a touch of endearment when referring to your neighbor in a friendly way. It’s like saying “little neighbor” in English. An example could be “Mi vecinita me trajo galletas recién horneadas” (My little neighbor brought me freshly baked cookies).
- Compeluche: This term is a playful and affectionate way to refer to your neighbor, often used in parts of Latin America. It implies a sense of closeness and camaraderie. You may hear someone say “¿Vamos a tomar mate, compeluche?” (Shall we have mate, neighbor?).
- Patiperro/Patiperra: This colloquial term, more commonly used in Chile, refers to a neighbor who is always out and about, exploring the neighborhood. It carries a friendly tone and could be used in a sentence like “Mi patiperro vecino siempre encuentra los mejores lugares para comer” (My adventurous neighbor always finds the best places to eat).
Regional Variations
While the above terms are widely understood across different Spanish-speaking regions, some countries or specific areas might have their own unique variations:
Spain: In Spain, you may hear the term vecino/vecina commonly, as well as the localized term convecino/convecina. Both are acceptable ways to refer to your neighbor formally or informally.
Mexico: In Mexico, you might hear the term colono/colona used for neighbors in a shared residential or community setting. It emphasizes the sense of belonging to a community or neighborhood.
Examples and Conversational Phrases
To help you further, here are some examples and conversational phrases involving neighbors in Spanish:
- “Hola, vecino. ¿Cómo te va?” (Hello, neighbor. How are you doing?)
- “¿Podrías prestarme tu cortadora de césped, vecina?” (Could you lend me your lawnmower, neighbor?)
- “¡Feliz cumpleaños, vecinito! Traje un regalo para ti” (Happy birthday, little neighbor! I brought a gift for you).
Note that these phrases can be modified using any of the formal or informal terms mentioned above, based on the situation and your relationship with the neighbor.
Remember, effective communication with your neighbors helps create a sense of community and fosters positive relationships. Take the opportunity to practice these terms and phrases in your daily interactions. The more you use them, the more natural they’ll become!
We hope this guide has been helpful and that you now feel confident in using different ways to say “neighbor” in Spanish. ¡Buena suerte! (Good luck!)
