Biblioteca vs Librería

Question

¿Que es la diferencia entre los dos palabras, biblioteca y librería? ¿Son nombres por la misma cosa, o tienen significados deferentes? Gracias por el por la clarificación.

What is the difference between these two words "biblioteca" and "librería"? Are they names for the same thing, or do they have different meanings? Thanks for the clarification.

Answer 1

Biblioteca ......library

Librería ...... book store

From the English perspective, it sure would be easier if those were reversed. :) - rogspax, Feb 1, 2013

From the spanish point of view it should be vice versa......;-) let's start some diplomacy - Aranjuez12, Feb 1, 2013

Fair enough. As long as we don´t BoTH reverse them. - rogspax, Feb 1, 2013

Surely if both did reverse them we would be back where we started :) - ian-hill, Feb 2, 2013

Answer 2

In my Spanish classes, which have all been taught by people from Central and South America whose first language is Spanish, I have never heard the profesor(a)s question that biblioteca and librería mean library and bookstore respectively just like Julian stated.

Nor me in Bolivia or elsewhere. - ian-hill, Feb 2, 2013

Answer 3

The words mean the same thing, depending on the spanish country majority of people know that both mean library. Depending on the spanish country their in. In America people are used to saying library as libreria, if they are originally from another country they would say biblioteca. In Mexico most say biblioteca, Little island of Puertorico the younger generation calls it libreria. Older generation calls it biblioteca, in America the young spanish generation is refering it as libreria. But both mean the same (Library) a place with an archive of books. Hope this helps, have a nice day.

Answer 4

Like Spanish_Parrot the meaning also depends on the country... in Argentina we use Biblioteca as library and Librería is a place where you can buy paperboard, pens, pencils, school supplies, etc.