Spanish Conversation · Level 116
60 words
Spanish word
arrabal
Pronunciation
IPA/araˈβal/
Meaning
- masculine nounoutskirts
Example
Vivo en el arrabal, cerca de un parque.
I live on the outskirts, near a park.
More examples
Los arrabales se han convertido en zonas con actividad cultural.
The outskirts have become areas with cultural activity.
Core concept
Fringe neighborhood beyond the urban center.
Common phrases
los arrabales de la ciudad
the outskirts of the city
vivir en un arrabal
live on the outskirts
Similar words
afueras: Outer parts of a town or city lying beyond the center, commonly used in everyday speech.
periferia: Outer urban zone at the city's edge, often mentioned in formal or technical descriptions.
suburbio: Residential district near a city center composed mainly of housing and local streets.
extrarradio: Area situated just beyond the city's built-up limit, on the outer edge of urban land.
Definition in Spanish
Barrio periférico situado fuera del núcleo urbano; en algunos países puede conllevar la idea de zona humilde o marginal.
Word origin
Derived from Arabic rabāḍ through medieval Spanish, originally naming settlements outside city walls and later applied to peripheral neighborhoods.
Usage tips
- In Spain arrabal can sound literary or old-fashioned in everyday speech, where las afueras is more commonly used.
Other meanings
- suburbsnoun
Opposites
- centrocity centernoun
- casco urbanourban areanoun
Related words
- arrabalerooutskirts residentnoun