Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| anchura | /anˈt͡ʃuɾa/ | feminine |
| anchor | /anˈt͡ʃoɾ/ | masculine |
| ancheza | /ant͡ʃeθa/ (Spain, from spelling rules) /ant͡ʃesa/ (Latin America, from spelling rules) |
feminine |
Anchura is a noun used to refer to the measurement of something from side to side, specifically for the width of objects, passages, roads or hallways. In technical or scientific contexts, the term amplitud may be used to emphasize broadness or spaciousness.
Which one should you use?
The word anchura is the standard feminine noun for width. However, ancho can also function as a masculine noun meaning width and is often used interchangeably with anchura in mathematical or technical contexts. Note that ancho is also an adjective meaning wide. Additionally, amplitud is used when the context focuses on the spaciousness of a measurement.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, the word grosor is commonly used to refer to either the thickness or the width of something.
How does it change in a sentence?
Anchura is a feminine noun. The form anchor is listed as a masculine noun, while ancheza is a feminine form.
How do you pronounce it?
/anˈtʃuɾa/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using the adjective ancho (wide) when you actually mean the noun anchura (width).
Did you know?
- In nautical contexts, Spanish speakers often distinguish between manga and anchura when discussing the width of a ship's beam.
- In Mexico and other parts of Latin America, ancho is the name of a specific type of dried poblano chili pepper.
- The Latin root of the Spanish word for wide, ancho, is linked to the prefix 'ambi-', which appears in English words like 'ambidextrous' to mean 'both' or 'around'.
Examples in context
- ¿Cuál es la anchura de este camino?What's the width of this road?This sentence is useful for asking about the width of a road using anchura.Tatoeba #623232 by Dejo, translation #503848 by CK
- la anchura del objeto es de 5 centímetrosThe width of the object is 5 centimeters
- el espacio tiene 10 metros de anchoThe space is 10 meters wide
- esa mesa tiene buen anchoThat table has a good width
- La anchura de la mesa es de ochenta centímetros.The width of the table is eighty centimeters.
- Necesito saber la anchura de la puerta.I need to know the width of the door.
Example conversation
Daniel and María are measuring a rug for the living room.
- Daniel¿Sabes la anchura de esta alfombra?Do you know the width of this rug?
- MaríaNo, déjame medirla con la cinta.No, let me measure it with the tape.
- DanielEs muy importante que sea exacta.It is very important that it is exact.
- MaríaTranquilo, Daniel, ya casi la tengo.Don't worry, Daniel, I almost have it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “width” translations and entries anchura, anchor, ancheza, 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 anchor, anchura, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
