noreste
/noɾeste/from spelling rulesmasculine
The English phrase northeast is translated into Spanish as noreste. Wiktionary also lists nordeste and nordoriente.
Meaning: compass point (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| noreste | /noɾeste/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
| nordeste | /noɾˈdeste/ | masculine |
| nordoriente | /noɾdoɾjente/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
| nororiente | /noɾoɾjente/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
This noun refers to the compass point between north and east.
What does it mean word for word?
The word noreste is a compound of norte (north) and este (east).
Which one should you use?
noreste is the most common form. You may also encounter nordeste in certain dialects or older texts, as well as the forms nordoriente and nororiente.
Is it said differently in some regions?
nordeste is used particularly in certain dialects.
How does it change in a sentence?
When you are referring to a specific geographic region, use the masculine definite article el before the word, such as in el noreste.
How do you pronounce it?
/noɾeste/
Did you know?
- While English uses 'east', the Spanish forms nororiente and nordoriente use oriente, which translates more literally to 'the Orient'.
- The word oriente in nororiente comes from the Latin orior, meaning 'to rise', referring to where the sun rises.
- While noreste is the standard term, the form nororiente uses the word oriente, which shares the same root as the English word 'orient'.
Examples in context
- Él vino del noreste.He came from the Northeast.This sentence is useful for describing someone's origin using noreste.Tatoeba #1387814 by marcelostockle, translation #802968 by Source_VOA
- Vivo en el noreste de Brasil.I live in the northeast of Brazil.This sentence is useful for describing a location within a country using noreste.Tatoeba #11230444 by carlosalberto, translation #11230438 by carlosalberto
- ¡Dirígete al noreste!Head northeast!This sentence is useful for giving directional instructions using noreste.Tatoeba #11228281 by carlosalberto, translation #11228267 by carlosalberto
- El próximo destino de nuestro viaje está al nordeste del país.Our next destination is to the northeast of the country.
- La playa se encuentra en la costa este-nordeste de la isla.The beach is located on the east-northeast coast of the island.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alejandro and María are looking at a map of the city.
- AlejandroEl parque está hacia el noreste.The park is toward the northeast.
- María¿Está lejos de aquí, Alejandro?Is it far from here, Alejandro?
- AlejandroNo, solo camina hacia el noreste.No, just walk toward the northeast.
- MaríaPerfecto, vamos entonces.Perfect, let's go then.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “northeast” translations and entries noreste, nordeste, nororiente, 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.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries nororiente, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
