Nuestro ambiente or our environment is an important part of our lives. It’s where we spend most of our time. So, it’s of paramount importance to be able to describe it in the spanish language. If you’re visiting a spanish speaking country, people will want to know about your physical environment to get a better perspective of your alrededores or surroundings.
Most people spend their time at home, in the office, at school, in church or even in the club. In every culture, the environment and surroundings have a different meaning and varies from country to country. Many people are in their house, but don’t really feel at home. Or, they are at home but thinking about work.
Learning spanish speaking people’s ambientes y alrededores may help you out to get immersed in the Spanish culture.
If you're planning to live in a Spanish speaking country, you’ll need to know your new surroundings to adapt to a new lifestyle and win your own independence. Being abroad can be scary if you’re unaware of your surroundings. Learn about Spanish speaking cultures so as to feel safe during your visit.
La casa or the house is the place where people spend most of their time. Many of them feel at home, others still feel it is their parents' home. There’s nothing more pleasing than being en el hogar or at home.
The word casa or house is commonly used to describe not only the physical edifice but also the home. El hogar or home is not commonly used in everyday conversations.
| Me siento como en casa | I feel like at home |
| Mi casa es agradable en apariencia | My house is pleasing in appearance |
| En mi casa siento paz | I feel peace at home |
| No me siento como en casa en lo de mis padres | I don't feel like at home at my parents’ |
| Mi casa es espaciosa | My house is spacious |
| Mi casa es muy cómoda | My house is very comfortable |
In most Spanish speaking countries people feel at home in their neighborhood. Since they’re little kids, they spend most of the time playing around in the street with their friends and neighbors.
The neighborhood or el vecindario is a second home for most spanish speaking people. It’s the perfect venue for celebrating carnaval when kids throw water balloons at one another.
| En mi vecindario hay mucha violencia | In my neighborhood there’s a lot of violence |
| Mi vecindario es muy seguro | My neighborhood is very safe |
| En mi vecindario hay muchas escuelas, plazas y supermercados | In my neighborhood there are a lot of schools, squares and supermarkets |
| Mi vecindario está bien ubicado en la ciudad | Mi neighborhood is well located in the city |
| Vivo en un vecindario muy nuevo | I live in a pretty new neighborhood |
| En mi vecindario viven muchos niños | In my neighborhood there are a lot of kids |
Parques or parks and plazas or squares are part of everybody’s surrounding area in spanish speaking countries. These are the perfect venues to go to on a sunday afternoon to play soccer or just to relax.
| ¿Vamos a la plaza esta tarde? | Shall we go to the square this afternoon? |
| Hay un parque muy grande en mi vecindario | There's a big park in my neighborhood |
| Esa plaza me gusta porque tiene columpios | I like this square because there are swings |
| ¿Quieres ir a pasear al parque? | Do you want to go out to the park? |
| En el parque podemos comprar pochoclo si quieres | We can buy popcorn in the park if you want to |
Las parrilladas or barbecues are Spanish speakers’ favorites. In every patio or garden there’s a corner meant to be a quincho or barbecue area. This is the most valuable surrounding for Spanish speakers since they cook asados almost every weekend.
The barbecue area is the perfect venue to eat and meet.
| ¿Organizamos un asado para el domingo? | Shall we organize a barbecue for Sunday morning? |
| En mi patio hay un gran quincho para 15 personas | In my yard there’s a big barbecue area for 15 people |
| Al lado de mi quincho hay una pileta enorme para nadar toda la tarde | There's a big swimming pool next to the barbecue are to swim the entire afternoon |
| Hoy hago una parrillada en mi quincho. Están todos invitados | I’m making a barbecue in my quincho. You are all invited to come |
Ir a la playa or going to the beach is the perfect scenario to spend the day during summer time. Many spanish speaking countries have a coastline where people go to cool down.
| ¡Vamos a la playa! | Let’s go to the beach! |
| Hay una playa muy bonita para pasar el día | There’s a pretty nice beach to spend the day |
| El día está hermoso para tomar sol en la playa | It’s a beautiful day to sunbathe on the beach |
| En la playa hay bares para tomar unos tragos a la noche | There are several bars on the beach to have some drinks during the evening |
| La playa es el mejor lugar para relajarse y recargar energía | The beach is the best place to relax and recharge batteries |
