Understanding Length and Distance
In Spanish, length and distance are often expressed using specific vocabulary and measurement units. The term for length is longitud, and distance can be referred to as distancia. Both concepts relate to how far apart two points are or how long an object is.
Common Units of Length
Spanish uses the metric system predominantly, so common units include millimeters (milímetros), centimeters (centímetros), meters (metros), and kilometers (kilómetros). For example, one meter is un metro, and ten kilometers is diez kilómetros.
Useful Vocabulary for Measurement
To describe length and distance, verbs such as medir (to measure) and phrases like cuánto mide (how long is) are essential. Useful adjectives include largo (long), corto (short), and lejano (far). For example, La distancia entre las dos ciudades es larga means "The distance between the two cities is long."
Talking About Distance in Context
When expressing distance between places, prepositions such as a (to), de (from), and phrases like a cinco kilómetros de (five kilometers from) are commonly used. For instance, Mi casa está a tres kilómetros de la escuela means "My house is three kilometers from the school."
Expressions Related to Length and Distance
Common expressions include estar cerca (to be near), estar lejos (to be far), and a poca distancia (at a short distance). These help convey spatial relationships in everyday conversation and descriptions.
