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"Pueblo" is a form of "pueblo", a noun which is often translated as "town". "Puebla" is a form of "poblar", a transitive verb which is often translated as "to populate". Learn more about the difference between "pueblo" and "puebla" below.
el pueblo(
pweh
-
bloh
)A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
a. people
El pueblo mexicano está en contra de las decisiones tomadas por el nuevo presidente.The Mexican people are against the decisions made by the new president.
a. common people
"El pueblo trabaja para que los ricos descansen", dijo el revolucionario."The common people work so the rich can rest," said the revolutionary.
poblar(
poh
-
blahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. to populate
¿Crees que en el futuro los humanos poblarán otros planetas?Do you think humans will populate other planets in the future?
Los colonos tenían órdenes de poblar y desarrollar la isla desierta.The settlers had orders to populate and develop the desert island.
b. to settle
Los colonos emigraron hacia el oeste para poblar tierras más fértiles.The settlers traveled west to settle lands that were more fertile.
a. to inhabit
Las tribus que poblaban esta región fueron expulsadas por los blancos.The tribes that inhabited this region were driven out by white men.
b. to live in
Los aldeanos que poblaban las zonas rurales fueron esclavizados.The villagers that lived in the rural regions were enslaved.
3. (figurative) (to crowd)
A phrase used as a figure of speech or a word that is symbolic in meaning; metaphorical (e.g., carrot, bean).
b. to cover
Los comunistas poblaron las paredes con afiches de propaganda.The communists covered the walls with propaganda posters.
d. to stock (body of water)
Poblamos la pecera de pequeños peces payaso.We stocked the fishbowl with small clownfish.
poblarse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
a. to fill
Las nubes se disiparon y el cielo nocturno se pobló de estrellas.The clouds cleared and the night sky filled with stars.
b. to fill up
La cancha se pobló de fanáticos cuando Messi anotó el gol de la victoria.The field filled up with fans when Messi scored the winning goal.
