Spanish - May 2, 2023

How To Say "Length" In Spanish

If you are learning Spanish or traveling to a Spanish-speaking country, you might find yourself in need of knowing how to say "length" in Spanish. In this article, we will explore different ways of expressing this concept and answer some common questions related to it.

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What is "Length" in Spanish?

"Length" is a measurement of how long something is. In Spanish, there are different words that can be used to refer to this concept, depending on the context and the region.

Meaning of Length in Spanish

Longitud (IPA: /lonɡiˈtuð/) is the most common translation of "length" in Spanish. It is a feminine noun that refers to the measurement of a distance or extension, usually in a straight line. For example:

La longitud de la mesa es de 2 metros. (The length of the table is 2 meters.)
El río Amazonas tiene una longitud de más de 6.000 kilómetros. (The Amazon River has a length of more than 6,000 kilometers.)

Largo (IPA: /ˈlaɾɡo/) is another option to express "length" in Spanish, especially when referring to the length of something that is not straight, like hair or a piece of fabric. It is a masculine adjective that means "long". For example:

Tengo el pelo largo. (I have long hair.)
Este vestido es más largo que el otro. (This dress is longer than the other one.)

Largura (IPA: /laɾˈɡuɾa/) is a less common synonym of "longitud". It is a feminine noun that has a more poetic or literary connotation than "longitud". For example:

La largura de los días de verano. (The length of summer days.)

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Regional Differences

In some Spanish-speaking countries, such as Mexico and some parts of Central America, ancho (IPA: /ˈantʃo/) can be used to refer to "length", especially when talking about the width of something. In other regions, "ancho" only means "width". Therefore, it is important to take into account the context and the specific location when using this word. For example:

El ancho del río es de 20 metros. (The length of the river is 20 meters.)
El ancho del vestido es de 50 centímetros. (The width of the dress is 50 centimeters.)

In some regions of Spain, such as Andalusia, "largo" can also mean "tall" when referring to people or animals. In this case, it is important to clarify the context to avoid confusion. For example:

Pedro es muy largo. (Pedro is very tall.)
El vestido es largo, pero la modelo es bajita. (The dress is long, but the model is short.)

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