noreste
/noɾeste/from spelling rules
The English phrase "north east" is translated into Spanish as noreste.
noreste is used to describe the direction that lies halfway between north and east.
What does it mean word for word?
The word is a compound of norte, meaning north and este, meaning east.
How does it change in a sentence?
When you are referring to a specific direction or a specific region, use the masculine article to form el noreste. Note that the word for northwest follows a similar pattern: noroeste combines norte with oeste (west).
How do you pronounce it?
/noɾeste/
Did you know?
- Spanish speakers often use the term el levante to describe the east or northeast, as it refers to where the sun 'rises' (levar).
- In Spain, a cold and fierce wind known as the tramontana is specifically associated with blowing from the noreste across the Pyrenees mountains.
- In Spanish, the word este for 'east' is identical in spelling and pronunciation to the masculine demonstrative adjective este, which means 'this'.
Examples in context
- La ciudad está ubicada al noreste del país.The city is located in the northeast of the country.
- El lugar donde acampamos está al nordeste de la ciudad.The place where we camped is to the northeast of the city.
- Viajaremos al nordeste argentino para explorar las cataratas.We will travel to the northeast of Argentina to explore the waterfalls.
- El viento viene del noreste.The wind is coming from the northeast.
- Debes caminar hacia el noreste.You must walk towards the northeast.
- La ciudad está al noreste de la montaña.The city is to the northeast of the mountain.
Example conversation
María and Javier are looking at a map in a park.
- María¿Hacia dónde está el lago, Javier?Which way is the lake, Javier?
- JavierEstá exactamente hacia el noreste.It is exactly towards the northeast.
- MaríaGracias por ayudarme con el mapa.Thank you for helping me with the map.
- JavierDe nada, María.You're welcome, María.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry noreste, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
