Translation of Spanish word "ciudad" to English
ciudad
/θjuˈðað/
Meaning
NounA large settlement, bigger than a town; sometimes with a specific legal definition, depending on the place.
How to use
In English, the word 'city' often carries a sense of urbanization and modernity, but in Spanish, 'ciudad' can refer to a larger settlement with a specific legal definition. For example, in some countries, a 'ciudad' may be a municipality with a certain level of autonomy. Learners often mistake 'ciudad' for 'pueblo', but the latter typically refers to a smaller town or village. When using 'ciudad' in a sentence, pay attention to the context and the level of formality.
🇬🇧 English
city
Example
São Paulo es la ciudad más grande de América del Sur.
São Paulo is the largest city in South America.
Hoy voy a la ciudad a hacer algunas compras.
Today I'm going to the city to do some shopping.
Your personal vocabulary
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Common phrases
- ciudad capital— capital city
- ciudad universitaria— university town
- ciudad turística— tourist city
- ciudad industrial— industrial city
- ciudad histórica— historic city
This concept in other languages
📖 Related grammar
Frequency rank: #160 in Spanish
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Spanish word "ciudad" mean?▼
The Spanish word "ciudad" means "city" in English.
How do you pronounce the Spanish word "ciudad"?▼
You can hear the correct audio pronunciation of the word "ciudad" by clicking the play button next to the word at the top of this page.
Can I see an example sentence with "ciudad"?▼
Yes, here is a practical example: "La ciudad es muy ruidosa." (which translates as "São Paulo is the largest city in South America.").
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