zonificación
/θonifikaˈθjon/feminine
The English phrase 'zoning' can be translated into Spanish as zonificación. Wiktionary also lists plan de urbanización.
Meaning: legal: regulation of property use and construction (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| zonificación | /θonifikaˈθjon/ /sonifikaˈsjon/ |
feminine |
| plan de urbanización | /plan de uɾbaniθaθjon/ (Spain, from spelling rules) /plan de uɾbanisasjon/ (Latin America, from spelling rules) |
masculine |
In a legal context, these terms refer to the regulation of property use and construction. For example, if you are referring to 'zoning laws', use the phrase leyes de zonificación.
Which one should you use?
Use zonificación when you are referring specifically to the technical process of dividing land into zones.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, the word urbanismo is often used as a synonym for zoning or urban planning.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun zonificación is feminine and requires feminine articles such as la or esta. The masculine phrase plan de urbanización requires masculine articles like el or este.
How do you pronounce it?
/θonifikaˈθjon/
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, a urbanización is not just a zoning process but is the common word for a gated community or a residential estate.
- In Spain, disputes over urbanismo are so common that the term is frequently used in news headlines to describe political scandals involving land development.
- The root of urbanización is linked to the Proto-Indo-European word for 'enclosure' or 'fortification', reflecting the historical concept of a city as a protected space.
Examples in context
- La zonificación urbana ayuda a estructurar el desarrollo de una ciudad.Urban zoning helps structure the development of a city.
- La reglamentación de uso de suelo es esencial para el ordenamiento urbano.Land use zoning regulations are essential for urban planning.
- Vamos a zonificar este terreno para un desarrollo residencial.Let's zone this land for residential development.
- Se necesita una división en zonas para ordenar adecuadamente la ciudad.A zoning division is needed to properly organize the city.
- La zonificación de la ciudad ha cambiado mucho.The city's zoning has changed a lot.
- Debemos revisar la zonificación antes de comprar el terreno.We must check the zoning before buying the land.
- La nueva zonificación permite construir edificios más altos.The new zoning allows for building taller buildings.
Example conversation
Sofía and Alejandro are discussing a real estate investment at a cafe.
- Sofía¿Conoces la zonificación de este barrio?Do you know the zoning of this neighborhood?
- AlejandroNo, pero puedo investigar la zonificación hoy.No, but I can research the zoning today.
- SofíaEs importante para nuestro proyecto, Alejandro.It is important for our project, Alejandro.
- AlejandroTienes razón, Sofía. Lo haré de inmediato.You are right, Sofía. I will do it immediately.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “zoning” translations and entries zonificación, 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 de, plan, urbanización, zonificación, CC BY-SA 4.0.
