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"Abajo" is an adverb which is often translated as "down", and "al centro" is a phrase which is often translated as "to the center". Learn more about the difference between "abajo" and "al centro" below.
abajo(
ah
-
bah
-
hoh
)An adverb is a word that describes a verb, an adjective, or other adverbs (e.g., to run quickly, very tired).
1. (position)
b. below
Me gusta bastante ese cuadro, pero prefiero el que está abajo.I quite like that painting, but I prefer the one below.
c. underneath
Él durmió en la litera de arriba y yo abajo.He slept on the top bunk, and I slept underneath.
2. (direction)
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Haz un boceto del edificio visto desde abajo.Draw a sketch of the building seen from below.
Íbamos para abajo en el elevador cuando se descompuso.We were going down in the elevator when it broke down.
5. (after noun)
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
La canoa avanzaba río abajo.The canoe moved downriver.
La riada arrastró los carros calle abajo.The flood swept the cars down the road.
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Todo el equipo fue despedido, de la coordinadora para abajo.The entire team was fired, from the coordinator down.
Aceptamos a niños de 12 años para abajo.We admit children aged 12 or under.
7. (in a text)
An interjection is a short utterance that expresses emotion, hesitation, or protest (e.g., Wow!).
al centro(
ahl
sehn
-
troh
)A phrase is a group of words commonly used together (e.g., once upon a time).
1. (general)
a. to the center (United States)
Regionalism used in the United States
Me voy al centro a hacer unas compras. ¿Te vienes conmigo?I'm going to the center to do some shopping. Do you want to come along?
b. to the centre (United Kingdom)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
Para llegar al centro solo tienes que seguir recto por esta calle.To get to the centre you just have to go straight along this street.
c. downtown (United States)
Regionalism used in the United States
Hace una semana que no voy al centro. ¿Han encendido ya las luces de Navidad?I haven't been downtown for one week. Are the Christmas lights already on?
