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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).
1. (mopboard)
a. baseboard (United States)
Regionalism used in the 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 (United Kingdom)
Regionalism used in the 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.
2. (pedestal)
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.
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).
a. main square
Pasamos la tarde paseando en la plaza mayor del pueblo.We spent the afternoon walking around the town's main square.