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"Zócalo" is a form of "zócalo", a noun which is often translated as "baseboard". "Plaza mayor" is a form of "plaza mayor", a noun which is often translated as "main square". Learn more about the difference between "zócalo" and "plaza mayor" below.
el zócalo(
soh
-
kah
-
loh
)
A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
masculine noun
a. baseboard
Regionalism used in the United States
(United States)
Voy a pintar las paredes de azul y el zócalo de blanco.I'll paint the walls blue and the baseboard white.
b. skirting board
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
(United Kingdom)
La unión entre la pared y el piso quedará oculta bajo el zócalo.The joint formed by the wall and the floor will be covered with a skirting board.
a. base
Dos vándalos tumbaron la estatua y pintaron el zócalo con aerosol.Two vandals toppled the statue and spray-painted the base.
b. plinth
El busto de cerámica fue colocado sobre un zócalo.The ceramic bust was placed on a plinth.
3. (public space)
Regionalism used in Mexico
(Mexico)
a. main square
No pudimos ir a la feria de arte en el zócalo porque llovió.We couldn't visit the art fair at the main square because it rained.
b. zocalo
El zócalo de Oaxaca siempre está lleno de turistas.The zocalo in Oaxaca is always brimming with tourists.
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la plaza mayor(
plah
-
sah
 
mah
-
yohr
)
A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
feminine noun
a. main square
Pasamos la tarde paseando en la plaza mayor del pueblo.We spent the afternoon walking around the town's main square.
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