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"Bar" is a noun which is often translated as "bar", and "cantina" is a noun which is often translated as "canteen". Learn more about the difference between "bar" and "cantina" below.
el bar(
bahr
)A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
a. bar (United States)
Regionalism used in the United States
Vamos al bar a tomar unas cervezas. ¿Te vienes?We're going to the bar for a couple of beers. Are you coming with us?
b. pub (United Kingdom)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
Celebramos San Patricio en un bar irlandés.We celebrated Saint Patrick's Day at an Irish pub.
2. (furniture)
la cantina(
kahn
-
tee
-
nah
)A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
a. canteen (in a factory)
No me gusta la comida que sirven en la cantina, así que traigo mi propio emparedado al trabajo cada día.I don't like the food they serve in the canteen, so I bring my own sandwich to work every day.
b. cafeteria (United States)
Regionalism used in the United States
Si cada estudiante usara una bandeja para llevar su almuerzo, la cantina sería mucho más limpia.If every student used a tray to carry their lunch, the cafeteria would be much cleaner.
c. mess hall (military)
Todos los soldados corrieron a la cantina para ver lo que se serviría para la cena.The soldiers all ran to the mess hall to see what would be served for dinner.
d. snack bar (United States)
Regionalism used in the United States
Voy a irme a la cantina para un bocado rápido.I'm just going to stop at the snack bar for a quick bite to eat.
e. refectory (at a church or university)
¿Te gustaría acompañarme para almorzar en la cantina después de clase?Would you like to join me for lunch in the refectory after class?
f. buffet
Hoy no comí antes de subir al tren, así que compré un boleto para la cantina.I didn't eat lunch today before boarding, so I bought a ticket for the buffet.
2. (tavern) (Latin America)
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
a. bar
¿Qué tal si vamos a esa cantina? Podemos comer comida decente y también beber cervezas allí.How about we go to that bar? We can eat decent food and drink beers there.
a. milk churn
Después de horas detrás de la cantina, Ana obtuvo tres libras de mantequilla como fruto de su esfuerzo.After hours behind the milk churn, Ana had three pounds of butter to show for her efforts.
las cantinas
A plural noun indicates that there is more than one person, place, thing, or idea.
a. saddlebags (plural)
El ranchero tomó sus binoculares desde las cantinas para ver lo que había al otro lado del campo.The rancher pulled his binoculars from his saddlebags to see what was on the other side of the field.
