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B1 adjective 10 min read

contiguo

Examples contiguo in 30 Seconds
Explanation contiguo in your Level:
At the A1 level, the word 'contiguo' might be a bit advanced, as you usually learn simpler ways to say 'next to,' like 'al lado de.' However, you can think of 'contiguo' as a fancy way to say that two things are touching each other. Imagine two rooms in a house that share the same wall—they are 'contiguas.' At this stage, you don't need to use it often, but you might see it on signs in a hotel or a museum. It's important to know that it changes depending on the thing you are talking about. If it's a boy-word (masculine), it's 'contiguo.' If it's a girl-word (feminine), it's 'contigua.' If there are many, it's 'contiguos' or 'contiguas.' Just remember: it means they are very, very close, actually touching! For example, if your bedroom is right next to your brother's bedroom and you share a wall, you can say 'mi habitación es contigua a la suya.' It is a useful word for being very specific about where things are located in a building.
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At the A2 level, you are starting to describe your surroundings in more detail. 'Contiguo' is a great word to add to your vocabulary to sound more precise than just using 'cerca' (near) or 'al lado' (next to). You use 'contiguo' when there is no space at all between two things. It is very common when talking about buildings, rooms, or seats. For example, if you go to the cinema with a friend and you want to sit together, you look for 'asientos contiguos.' Notice how we use the preposition 'a' after it: 'El garaje está contiguo a la casa.' This means the garage is attached to the house. You might also hear it when someone is giving you directions in a formal place, like an office building: 'La oficina del jefe es el despacho contiguo.' This means it is the very next door. Try to use it instead of 'al lado de' once in a while to improve your descriptive skills. It shows you understand that the two things are physically connected or sharing a border.
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At the B1 level, you should be comfortable using 'contiguo' in both spoken and written Spanish, especially in formal or semi-formal contexts. This word is particularly useful for describing layouts, geography, and arrangements. You will often find it in real estate descriptions (e.g., 'parcelas contiguas') or in travel bookings (e.g., 'habitaciones contiguas'). A key point for B1 learners is the correct use of the preposition 'a' and the contraction 'al.' For instance, 'El edificio nuevo es contiguo al antiguo.' You should also distinguish 'contiguo' from 'continuo.' While they sound similar, 'continuo' refers to time or an uninterrupted flow (like a continuous noise), whereas 'contiguo' is strictly spatial (like two touching objects). Using 'contiguo' correctly helps you achieve a more professional tone. It is a common word in news reports about border issues between countries ('países contiguos') or in academic descriptions of geometry and architecture. Practice using it to describe the relationship between different parts of a city or the rooms in your workplace.
At the B2 level, 'contiguo' is a standard part of your vocabulary for technical, academic, and professional communication. You are expected to use it with precision to denote physical contact or shared boundaries. You will encounter it in legal texts, where 'fincas colindantes' and 'propiedades contiguas' are used to define land rights. You should also be aware of its use in abstract or scientific contexts, such as 'ángulos contiguos' in mathematics or 'bloques de memoria contiguos' in computer science. At this level, you should be able to choose between 'contiguo' and its synonyms like 'adyacente,' 'colindante,' or 'aledaño' based on the specific context. For example, 'colindante' is more specific to land borders, while 'contiguo' is more general for any two objects in contact. You should also feel comfortable using it in more complex sentence structures, such as 'Dada la naturaleza contigua de ambos territorios, el intercambio cultural ha sido inevitable.' This level of usage demonstrates a sophisticated grasp of Spanish spatial relations and formal register.
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At the C1 level, you use 'contiguo' with complete naturalness and precision, often in high-level academic, literary, or professional discourse. You understand the subtle nuances that distinguish 'contiguo' from its synonyms and use it to provide absolute clarity in your descriptions. In literary analysis, you might discuss the 'espacios contiguos' in a novel to explore themes of proximity and separation. In a professional legal or architectural setting, you use the term to avoid any ambiguity regarding property lines or structural connections. You are also familiar with the word's occasional use in describing temporal sequences in academic writing, such as 'periodos contiguos de la historia,' where it emphasizes the lack of a gap between two eras. Your mastery of this word includes the ability to use it in complex metaphorical senses, though its primary use remains physical. You also recognize it in historical documents or classic literature, where it has been used for centuries to describe the physical layout of cities and estates. At this stage, 'contiguo' is not just a vocabulary word, but a tool for precise conceptual mapping.
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At the C2 level, your command of 'contiguo' is indistinguishable from that of a highly educated native speaker. You utilize the word in its most technical and nuanced applications across various fields, from geophysics to advanced mathematics. You are aware of the word's etymological roots in Latin ('contiguus,' from 'tangere'—to touch) and how this history informs its current usage. You can effortlessly integrate 'contiguo' into complex argumentative structures, such as discussing the 'geopolítica de los estados contiguos' or the 'arquitectura de espacios contiguos y fluidos.' You also have a keen ear for the word's register, knowing exactly when 'contiguo' provides the necessary formality and when a simpler term might be more appropriate to the tone. Furthermore, you can identify and correct even the most subtle misuses of the word in others' writing, such as the confusion between spatial 'contigüidad' and temporal 'continuidad.' Your use of 'contiguo' reflects a deep understanding of Spanish as a tool for exact, professional, and sophisticated communication of spatial and conceptual relationships.
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Examples

contiguo in 30 Seconds

  • Contiguo means 'adjacent' or 'touching.' It is used when two things share a physical border, like rooms in a hotel or neighboring countries on a map.
  • As an adjective, it must agree with the noun: contiguo (masculine) or contigua (feminine). It is more formal than the common phrase 'al lado de.'
  • It is frequently used with the preposition 'a.' For example, 'El jardín es contiguo a la casa.' If the noun is masculine, use the contraction 'al.'
  • Commonly found in real estate, travel, and math. It is distinct from 'continuo,' which refers to things that are ongoing in time rather than space.

The Spanish word contiguo is a precise adjective used to describe things that are physically touching or sharing a common boundary. While in English we might simply say 'next to' or 'adjacent,' contiguo carries a slightly more formal and technical weight, emphasizing the lack of space between two entities. It is essential for learners to understand that this word is not just about proximity; it is about contact. If two houses are on the same street but have a small alleyway between them, they are cercanas (near) but not strictly contiguas. However, if they share a common wall, they are perfectly described as viviendas contiguas.

Spatial Adjacency
This is the most common use. It refers to rooms, plots of land, or buildings that touch. For example, in a hotel, if you want rooms that are connected or right next to each other, you ask for habitaciones contiguas.
Geopolitical Context
In geography, it describes countries or states that share a border. A classic example is the 'Contiguous United States,' which in Spanish is referred to as los Estados Unidos contiguos, excluding Alaska and Hawaii because they do not touch the other forty-eight states.
Mathematical and Logical Use
In geometry, ángulos contiguos are angles that share a common vertex and a common side but do not overlap. In computer science, it refers to memory blocks that are located one after another without gaps.

Las dos fincas son contiguas y comparten un pozo de agua de manera comunal.

Understanding the nuance of contiguo helps you move beyond basic vocabulary like al lado de. It allows for greater precision in legal, architectural, and descriptive writing. For instance, in a legal contract regarding property rights, using contiguo clarifies exactly which pieces of land are being discussed based on their physical borders. It is also frequently found in literature to set a scene where characters are separated only by a thin, shared wall, heightening the sense of intimacy or tension.

El despacho del director es contiguo a la sala de juntas principal.

Buscamos dos plazas de aparcamiento contiguas para nuestros vehículos.

In summary, use contiguo when you want to emphasize that there is no space, no gap, and no intermediary between two things. It is the language of borders, walls, and immediate succession. Whether you are describing the layout of a museum or the arrangement of seats in a theater, this word provides the specific spatial relationship that simple proximity words lack. It implies a structural or geographical link that is vital for clear communication in professional and academic Spanish contexts.

Using contiguo correctly involves mastering its grammatical placement and its required preposition. Most commonly, contiguo is followed by the preposition a when indicating what something is adjacent to. This structure—[Noun] + [Verb] + contiguo/a + a + [Noun]—is the standard way to express 'adjacent to' or 'next to' in a formal sense.

Agreement Rules
As an adjective, it must match the noun. Example: 'La habitación contigua' (feminine singular) vs. 'El edificio contiguo' (masculine singular). If you are talking about multiple items, use 'Los territorios contiguos' (masculine plural).
The Preposition 'A'
When you specify the object of adjacency, 'a' is mandatory. Example: 'El jardín es contiguo a la biblioteca'. Note that if the following noun is masculine singular, 'a' and 'el' combine to form 'al'. Example: 'El patio es contiguo al garaje'.

Vivimos en el apartamento contiguo al de mis padres para poder ayudarlos.

In many cases, the word is used without a following prepositional phrase if the context has already been established. For example, if you are looking at a map of two plots of land, you might simply say, 'Estos dos terrenos son contiguos'. Here, the word acts as a predicate adjective describing the relationship between the two subjects mentioned earlier. This is very common in technical reports or descriptions of physical layouts.

La zona de carga está situada en el muelle contiguo.

Beyond physical space, contiguo can occasionally be used for time or sequences, though consecutivo or siguiente are more common in those roles. However, in academic Spanish, you might encounter 'periodos contiguos' to describe time intervals that touch without any gap between them. This usage emphasizes the continuity of the timeline. For example, 'Los dos semestres contiguos muestran una mejora en el rendimiento académico'.

El ángulo alfa es contiguo al ángulo beta en este diagrama geométrico.

Finally, consider the register. While you can use contiguo in daily conversation, it often sounds more natural in written descriptions, formal instructions, or professional environments. In a casual setting, a Spaniard might say 'la habitación de al lado', whereas a hotel receptionist or an architect would almost certainly use 'la habitación contigua'. Mastering this word allows you to adjust your register effectively, showing a higher level of linguistic sophistication.

You will encounter contiguo in several specific real-world environments. It is not a word people shout in the street, but it is a word that defines the structure of our physical and legal world. Understanding these contexts will help you recognize it instantly when it appears in professional or academic settings.

Real Estate and Architecture
When reading property listings or architectural plans, contiguo is the standard term. You might see 'parcelas contiguas' (adjacent plots) or 'naves contiguas' (neighboring warehouses). It is used to describe how different structures relate to one another spatially.
The Travel Industry
When booking travel, especially for families or large groups, you will hear this word. Airlines might talk about asientos contiguos (seats next to each other), and hotels frequently use habitaciones contiguas to describe rooms that are side-by-side, often implying there might be a connecting door.
Legal and Administrative Documents
In legal descriptions of land (escrituras), contiguo is used to define boundaries. It clarifies who your neighbors are and exactly where your property line ends and the next begins. It is a legally binding term that removes ambiguity about physical contact.

Señor, hemos reservado dos asientos contiguos para usted y su acompañante en el vuelo de mañana.

In literature and journalism, contiguo is used to create a specific atmosphere. A journalist might describe a 'conflicto en países contiguos' to emphasize how instability in one nation can easily spill over into its neighbor due to their shared border. In a novel, an author might describe 'el susurro que venía de la estancia contigua', using the word to suggest that the characters are separated only by a thin barrier, heightening the sense of proximity and potential eavesdropping.

La biblioteca está en el edificio contiguo a la facultad de medicina.

You will also hear it in academic lectures, particularly in the sciences. A biologist might discuss 'tejidos contiguos' (adjacent tissues) in an organism, or a physicist might talk about 'campos contiguos'. In these cases, the word ensures scientific precision, indicating that there is no space between the elements being studied. Whether you are in a boardroom, a classroom, or a hotel lobby, contiguo is the professional way to say 'touching' or 'side-by-side'.

El museo ha adquirido el solar contiguo para ampliar sus galerías de arte moderno.

Learners of Spanish often face a few hurdles when using contiguo. Because it looks and sounds similar to other words, and because its English equivalents can be broad, it is easy to make subtle errors in meaning or grammar. Let's break down the most common pitfalls so you can avoid them.

Confusion with 'Continuo'
This is the most frequent mistake. Continuo means 'continuous' (without interruption in time or process), while contiguo means 'adjacent' (sharing a border in space). Saying 'un ruido contiguo' is incorrect if you mean a 'continuous noise'; you should say 'un ruido continuo'. Conversely, 'habitaciones continuas' would mean rooms that go on forever, which doesn't make sense—you mean 'habitaciones contiguas'.
Gender and Number Agreement
Because contiguo ends in '-o', it must change to match the noun. Many students forget this and use the masculine form as a default. Remember: 'la casa contigua' (feminine) and 'las casas contiguas' (plural).
Misusing the Preposition
Students often try to use 'con' (with) or 'de' (of) after contiguo because of English influence ('next to', 'adjacent to'). In Spanish, the only correct preposition is a. 'Contiguo con la casa' is a common error; it must be 'contiguo a la casa'.

Incorrecto: El jardín es contiguo de la iglesia.
Correcto: El jardín es contiguo a la iglesia.

Another mistake involves the level of 'touching'. If two things are near each other but not touching, contiguo is technically incorrect. For example, if there is a street between two buildings, they are enfrente (across) or cerca (near), but not contiguos. Using contiguo in this situation might mislead someone who is looking for a shared wall or a shared boundary line. It is a word of physical contact.

Incorrecto: Las ciudades contiguas de Madrid y Barcelona.
Correcto: Las ciudades distantes de Madrid y Barcelona. (They do not touch!)

Finally, be careful with the contraction 'al'. Many learners write 'contiguo a el edificio', forgetting that 'a' and 'el' must merge into 'al'. This is a basic rule of Spanish grammar that is often overlooked when focusing on more complex vocabulary like contiguo. Keeping these details in mind will ensure your Spanish sounds professional and accurate.

While contiguo is a fantastic word for precision, Spanish offers several synonyms and related terms that might be more appropriate depending on the context. Understanding the subtle differences between these alternatives will greatly enhance your descriptive abilities.

Adyacente vs. Contiguo
These are very close. Adyacente (adjacent) also implies being next to something, but contiguo more strongly emphasizes the shared boundary or physical contact. In many technical contexts, they are interchangeable, but contiguo is more common for rooms and land parcels.
Colindante vs. Contiguo
Colindante is specifically used for land, properties, or territories. It comes from 'linda' (border). You would say 'fincas colindantes' more often than 'fincas contiguas' in a legal or agricultural setting, although both are correct. Contiguo is broader and can apply to furniture, seats, or abstract concepts.
Vecino vs. Contiguo
Vecino (neighboring) is much more informal and common in daily speech. It doesn't strictly require physical contact; two towns can be vecinos even if there is a forest between them. Contiguo is more clinical and precise.

La parcela colindante pertenece al ayuntamiento, mientras que el edificio contiguo es privado.

Another useful comparison is with aledaño. This word means 'surrounding' or 'bordering'. It is often used in the plural, los aledaños, to refer to the outskirts or the immediate vicinity of a place (like 'los aledaños del estadio'). While contiguo tells you two things touch, aledaño describes the whole area around a specific point.

El estacionamiento es adyacente a la entrada, pero el almacén es contiguo a la oficina.

In summary, choosing the right word depends on what you are describing. If you are talking about land, colindante is very professional. If you are talking about rooms or seats, contiguo is perfect. If you are speaking casually about people or towns, vecino or al lado works best. Mastering these synonyms allows you to tailor your Spanish to your specific audience and purpose, making you a much more effective communicator.

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Examples by Level

1

Mi habitación es contigua a la tuya.

My room is next to (touching) yours.

Feminine singular agreement with 'habitación'.

2

El baño está en el cuarto contiguo.

The bathroom is in the next room.

Masculine singular agreement with 'cuarto'.

3

Las casas contiguas son blancas.

The houses next to each other are white.

Feminine plural agreement with 'casas'.

4

El garaje es contiguo a la cocina.

The garage is next to the kitchen.

Use of 'a' before 'la cocina'.

5

Buscamos dos asientos contiguos.

We are looking for two adjacent seats.

Masculine plural agreement with 'asientos'.

6

El jardín es contiguo al parque.

The garden is next to the park.

Contraction 'al' (a + el).

7

La tienda está en el edificio contiguo.

The shop is in the building next door.

Masculine singular agreement with 'edificio'.

8

¿Son estas dos parcelas contiguas?

Are these two plots of land adjacent?

Feminine plural agreement with 'parcelas'.

1

El museo tiene una sala contigua para niños.

The museum has an adjacent room for children.

Adjective modifying 'sala'.

2

Vivimos en apartamentos contiguos desde hace años.

We have lived in adjacent apartments for years.

Plural adjective 'contiguos'.

3

La oficina es contigua al ascensor.

The office is next to the elevator.

Use of 'al' (a + el).

4

Necesito una mesa contigua a la ventana.

I need a table next to the window.

Feminine agreement with 'ventana' is NOT the focus; it agrees with 'mesa'.

5

Los dos terrenos son contiguos y muy grandes.

The two lots are adjacent and very large.

Predicate adjective 'contiguos'.

6

La biblioteca está en la planta contigua.

The library is on the next floor/adjacent level.

Feminine agreement with 'planta'.

7

El aparcamiento es contiguo a la entrada principal.

The parking lot is adjacent to the main entrance.

Masculine singular agreement.

8

Las dos habitaciones están contiguas por un pasillo.

The two rooms are adjacent via a hallway.

Plural feminine agreement.

1

El hotel ofrece habitaciones contiguas para familias.

The hotel offers adjacent rooms for families.

Common travel industry term.

2

España y Francia son países contiguos.

Spain and France are contiguous countries.

Describes geographical borders.

3

El nuevo almacén se construirá en el solar contiguo.

The new warehouse will be built on the adjacent lot.

Professional/Technical context.

4

La zona residencial es contigua al área industrial.

The residential zone is adjacent to the industrial area.

Contraction 'al'.

5

Los ángulos contiguos suman ciento ochenta grados en este caso.

The adjacent angles add up to 180 degrees in this case.

Mathematical terminology.

6

No pudimos comprar asientos contiguos en el avión.

We couldn't buy adjacent seats on the plane.

Plural masculine agreement.

7

La farmacia es contigua al centro de salud.

The pharmacy is next to the health center.

Spatial relationship.

8

Las dos fincas son contiguas pero tienen dueños diferentes.

The two estates are adjacent but have different owners.

Feminine plural agreement.

1

La normativa prohíbe construir en el espacio contiguo a la costa.

The regulation prohibits building in the space adjacent to the coast.

Formal administrative language.

2

Se detectó una filtración de agua en la pared contigua.

A water leak was detected in the adjacent wall.

Precise descriptive language.

3

Los estados contiguos de Estados Unidos no incluyen a Alaska.

The contiguous United States do not include Alaska.

Geopolitical term.

4

El ruido provenía del despacho contiguo al mío.

The noise was coming from the office adjacent to mine.

Prepositional phrase 'al mío'.

5

La empresa ha adquirido el edificio contiguo para su expansión.

The company has acquired the adjacent building for its expansion.

Business context.

6

Existen diversas especies animales en los territorios contiguos.

There are various animal species in the contiguous territories.

Academic/Scientific register.

7

La cocina y el comedor son espacios contiguos en esta casa.

The kitchen and the dining room are adjacent spaces in this house.

Agreement with 'espacios'.

8

El aparcamiento reservado es contiguo a la rampa de acceso.

The reserved parking is adjacent to the access ramp.

Formal instruction.

1

La contigüidad de los predios facilitó la negociación del proyecto.

The contiguity of the properties facilitated the project negotiation.

Noun form 'contigüidad'.

2

El autor utiliza la estancia contigua como metáfora del subconsciente.

The author uses the adjacent room as a metaphor for the subconscious.

Literary analysis.

3

Se requiere que los bloques de datos sean contiguos en la memoria.

Data blocks are required to be contiguous in memory.

Technical/Computing context.

4

La soberanía se extiende a las aguas contiguas a la zona territorial.

Sovereignty extends to the waters contiguous to the territorial zone.

Legal/International law terminology.

5

La disposición de los elementos contiguos altera la percepción visual.

The arrangement of contiguous elements alters visual perception.

Academic/Scientific register.

6

La historia de ambas naciones es inseparable dada su posición contigua.

The history of both nations is inseparable given their contiguous position.

Sophisticated analytical tone.

7

El diseño arquitectónico busca integrar el patio con el salón contiguo.

The architectural design seeks to integrate the patio with the adjacent living room.

Professional architectural description.

8

Los periodos contiguos de sequía han devastado la agricultura local.

Contiguous periods of drought have devastated local agriculture.

Temporal use of 'contiguo'.

1

La intrincada red de pasadizos contiguos define la estructura del palacio.

The intricate network of contiguous passages defines the palace's structure.

High-level descriptive precision.

2

La fenomenología del espacio contiguo plantea interrogantes sobre la privacidad.

The phenomenology of contiguous space raises questions about privacy.

Philosophical/Academic register.

3

Se analizó la transferencia de calor entre sólidos contiguos en el vacío.

Heat transfer between contiguous solids in a vacuum was analyzed.

Scientific research context.

4

La delimitación de las parcelas contiguas resultó en un litigio prolongado.

The delimitation of the contiguous plots resulted in prolonged litigation.

Legal/Formal register.

5

La contigüidad geográfica no siempre garantiza la afinidad cultural.

Geographical contiguity does not always guarantee cultural affinity.

Sociopolitical analysis.

6

Se observó una correlación entre los estratos geológicos contiguos.

A correlation was observed between contiguous geological strata.

Geological/Technical terminology.

7

La disposición de las teclas contiguas en el teclado facilita la velocidad.

The arrangement of contiguous keys on the keyboard facilitates speed.

Technical ergonomic description.

8

La dialéctica entre lo propio y lo contiguo es central en su obra poética.

The dialectic between the self and the contiguous is central to his poetic work.

Literary/Philosophical critique.

Common Collocations

habitaciones contiguas
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This Word in Other Languages

contiguo Italian
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