Spanish word

estrecho

Pronunciation

IPA/esˈtɾetʃo/

Meaning

  • adjectivenarrow

Example

La calle es estrecha.

The street is narrow.

Illustration for estrecho (narrow)

More examples

Tenemos una relación estrecha con nuestros vecinos.

We have a close relationship with our neighbors.

Core concept

A narrow passage between two walls.

Common phrases

  • calle estrecha

    narrow street

  • relación estrecha

    close relationship

  • paso estrecho

    narrow passage

Similar words

angosto: Very narrow in width, making it difficult for people or vehicles to pass.
apretado: Cramped and pressed so objects or people are tightly packed with little room.
ajustado: Fitting closely to size or shape, leaving little or no extra room.

Definition in Spanish

Señala poca anchura y, por extensión, intimidad o cercanía entre personas o cosas.

Word origin

From Latin stringere 'to tighten', the Spanish adjective estrecho developed a sense of limited width that extends metaphorically to close or intimate ties.

Usage tips

  • When referring to people or relationships, estrecho commonly appears after relación or vínculo (relación estrecha) to mean close or intimate, while as a noun el estrecho denotes a maritime strait.

Other meanings

  • tightadjective
  • closeadjective
  • straitnoun

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word