Spanish word

kilómetro

Pronunciation

IPA/kiˈlometɾo/

Meaning

  • masculine nounkilometer

Example

¿Cuántos kilómetros quedan hasta la ciudad?

How many kilometres remain until the city?

Illustration for kilómetro (kilometer)

More examples

Viajamos unos kilómetros para ver a la familia.

We travelled a few kilometres to visit the family.

Core concept

Road sign showing distance in kilometres.

Common phrases

  • recorrer kilómetros

    travel kilometers

  • a pocos kilómetros

    a few kilometers away

  • unos kilómetros

    a few kilometers

Similar words

metro: Unit measuring one metre, used for short distances and everyday lengths.
milla: Unit of about 1,609 metres, the customary mile seen on many US road signs.
distancia: Measure expressing how far apart two points or places are.

Definition in Spanish

Unidad de longitud igual a 1.000 metros, empleada para medir distancias entre lugares y en carreteras.

Word origin

From Greek kilo- 'thousand' and metron 'measure', the word names the metric unit equal to 1,000 meters.

Usage tips

  • The abbreviation 'km' is very common on signs and in speech, and speakers often say 'a dos kilómetros' or 'quedan X km' when giving distances.

Related words

  • kilometrajemileagenoun

Word lists with this word