suburbios
/subuɾbjos/from spelling rules
The English phrase "suburbs" is translated into Spanish as suburbios.
The term is used to describe residential areas located on the outskirts of a city. While it describes the same concept as the English word "suburbs", be aware that in certain Latin American contexts, suburbios can sometimes carry a connotation of poverty or slums.
Which one should you use?
suburbios is a neutral to formal term for residential outskirts. In contrast, periferia is a neutral term often used to describe the outer edges or periphery of a city from a more geographic perspective.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, the term Fraccionamiento is commonly used to refer to suburban areas. In Argentina, Barrio cerrado is used to refer to gated communities or upscale residential areas located outside the city. In Spain, Periferia is frequently used to describe suburban areas around cities.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form is suburbios, but you can use the singular form el suburbio to refer to a single residential area on the edge of a city.
How do you pronounce it?
/subuɾbjos/
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, calling a place a suburbio may imply it is a slum or a marginalized area, whereas in English 'suburbs' often suggests middle-class comfort.
- In Mexico, the word fraccionamiento is used instead of suburbio because it refers to the legal process of dividing a large plot of land into smaller urban lots.
- While suburbios is the direct translation, a person in Spain would more likely describe their home as being in the afueras, which literally means 'the out-sides'.
Examples in context
- Creo que es hora de que me mude a los suburbios.I think it's time for me to move to the suburbs.This sentence is useful for expressing a desire to move to the suburbs using suburbios.Tatoeba #1346663 by marcelostockle, translation #903855 by CK
- En los suburbios las calles a menudo son curvadas y angostas.Streets are often twisted and narrow in the suburbs.This sentence describes the typical street layout in the suburbs using suburbios.Tatoeba #1242994 by marcelostockle, translation #241188 by Ooneykcall
- La construcción de una autopista contribuirá al crecimiento de los suburbios.The construction of a highway will contribute to the growth of the suburbs.This sentence discusses how infrastructure like highways affects the growth of the suburbs using suburbios.Tatoeba #2379534 by DaniE, translation #21073 by CK
- Vivo en una zona residencial tranquila en las afueras de la ciudadI live in a peaceful suburban area outside the city
Example conversation
Daniel and Elena are discussing where to buy a house.
- DanielPrefiero vivir en los suburbios.I prefer to live in the suburbs.
- ElenaPero el centro es más emocionante, Daniel.But the center is more exciting, Daniel.
- DanielSí, pero los suburbios son más tranquilos.Yes, but the suburbs are quieter.
- ElenaTienes razón, Elena está de acuerdo contigo.You are right, Elena agrees with you.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
