La plaza or el cuadrado?

Question

¿Debo usar "la plaza" o "El Cuadrado" cuando se trata de decir "the square"? ¿O hacer una diferencia? O, es que se utiliza en un lugar (como América Latina) o en otro lugar (como España)? (¿Tiene esto algún sentido?)

Should I use "la plaza" or "el cuadrado" when trying to say "the square"? Or does it make a difference? OR, is one used in one place (like latin america) or in another place (like spain)? (does that make any sense?)

¡Gracias amigos!

Great question! - --Mariana--, Apr 16, 2012

Hola! debes usar "plaza". Saludos! - sabrinaq, Apr 16, 2012

Answer 1

• Square = Plaza, when it is referred as a place. I.E Pioner Square = Plaza de los Pioneros or Plaza Pioner

• Square = Cuadrado/a when it is use as a geometrical thematical forms, I.E Ese libro es cuadrado. or La raíz cuadrada de 25 es 5. (The square root of 25 is 5)

Gracias! That makes sense. . .I'll put that in my español file! - t1funnyface, Apr 16, 2012

My pleasure! - farallon7, Apr 16, 2012

Answer 2

Different places use different names.

Like Farallon says, "Plaza" is used quite a lot.

Many times in Mexico they have a "Zócalo."

Zócalo. . .hm, never heard that one before. Gracias! I'll put that in my file too. ;))) - t1funnyface, Apr 16, 2012

You are right Mariana, note that Zócalo is the name of that particular "main square" and no other "square" . - farallon7, Apr 16, 2012

Zócalo is used very often or Centro as well. - PJballa, Apr 16, 2012

Zocalo o centro en mexico:) - Ranman, Apr 17, 2012

Marianne, in Mexico City due to all the traffic and possibility of a car crash, we sometimes call the Zócalo there "El chócalo" ja ja. True! - 005faa61, Apr 17, 2012

Answer 3

I agree with farallon