vs
QUICK ANSWER
"Downtown" is a noun which is often translated as "el centro", and "central" is an adjective which is often translated as "central". Learn more about the difference between "downtown" and "central" below.
downtown(
daun
-
taun
)A noun is a word referring to a person, animal, place, thing, feeling, or idea (e.g., man, dog, house).
a. el sur de la ciudad (M)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
Downtown is popular with young families because of its schools and parks.El sur de la ciudad es popular con familias jóvenes por sus escuelas y parques.
An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
a. del centro
I love browsing in downtown stores on weekends.Me encanta curiosear las tiendas del centro los fines de semana.
a. al sur de la ciudad
The downtown club has been a staple of the New York music scene for over 50 years.El club al sur de la ciudad ha sido un elemento importante de la escena de la música de Nueva York por más de 50 años.
An adverb is a word that describes a verb, an adjective, or other adverbs (e.g., to run quickly, very tired).
a. al centro
From the airport, you can take the metro downtown.Desde el aeropuerto, puedes tomar el metro al centro.
a. al sur de la ciudad
After a couple of years in central Manhattan, they decided to return downtown.Después de dos años en el centro de Manhattan, dicidieron volverse al sur de la ciudad.
central(
sehn
-
truhl
)An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
1. (main)
a. central
The central bank plays an important role in the country's economy.El banco central desempeña un papel importante en la economía del país.
b. fundamental
The central obstacle to hiring skilled workers in our area is the lack of housing.El obstáculo central para la contratación de trabajadores calificados en nuestra zona es la falta de viviendas.
c. principal
The central aim of our association is to provide wholesome activities for children after school.El objetivo principal de nuestra asociación es proporcionar actividades sanas para los niños después de la escuela.
d. primordial
Sustainable production of nutritious food is central to the health of our population.La producción sostenible de alimentos nutritivos es primordial para la salud de nuestra población.
a. central
The central part of the state can expect heavy rain this evening.La parte central del estado puede esperar fuertes lluvias esta noche.
a. céntrico
I used to live in a more central location, but I prefer the peace of the suburbs.Antes vivía en un lugar más céntrico, pero prefiero la tranquilidad de los suburbios.
b. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
The Prado Museum is located in central Madrid.El Museo del Prado se encuentra en el centro de Madrid.
With a central location in the industrial area, the hotel is really convenient.El hotel es muy cómodo por estar ubicado en el centro de la zona industrial.
A noun is a word referring to a person, animal, place, thing, feeling, or idea (e.g., man, dog, house).
4. (old-fashioned) (telephone exchange) (United States)
A word or phrase that is seldom used in contemporary language and is recognized as being from another decade, (e.g., cat, groovy).
Regionalism used in the United States
a. la central telefónica (F)
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
My grandmother switched calls at the central from 1930 to 1962.Mi abuela gestionaba llamadas en la central telefónica desde 1930 hasta 1962.
