Spanish word

fila

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈfila/

Meaning

  • feminine nounline

Example

Estoy en fila para comprar el billete.

I am in line to buy the ticket.

Illustration for fila (line)

More examples

Todos nos pusimos en fila para entregar los documentos.

We all got in line to submit the documents.

Core concept

A single-file line of people waiting their turn.

Common phrases

  • ponerse en fila

    get in line

  • esperar en fila

    wait in line

  • fila de supermercado

    supermarket line

Similar words

cola: Customers lined at a shop or counter waiting to be served.
turno: The moment when someone's turn arrives to be served or to act.
puesto: A person's place or spot within a queue or line.

Definition in Spanish

Línea formada por personas o elementos que esperan su turno para ser atendidos.

Word origin

From Latin filum 'thread', via the Romance words for a connected sequence, giving Spanish fila the sense of people linked together in order.

Usage tips

  • Hacer fila and ponerse en fila are common in much of Latin America, while in Spain hacer cola is the usual expression.

Other meanings

  • rownoun

Word lists with this word