distancia
distancia in 30 Seconds
- Distancia refers to physical length or the gap between two points, objects, or people.
- It is a feminine noun in Spanish, used with 'la' or 'una'.
- Beyond physical space, it describes emotional coldness or social boundaries.
- Commonly used in phrases like 'a distancia' (remote) and 'en la distancia' (far away).
The word distancia is a fundamental noun in the Spanish language, primarily describing the physical length or gap between two distinct points, objects, or individuals. While its most literal application is rooted in mathematics and geography—measuring how many kilometers or meters separate one city from another—its usage extends far deeper into the emotional and social fabric of Spanish communication. Understanding 'distancia' requires looking at it through two lenses: the objective, measurable reality of space, and the subjective, felt reality of human relationships. In a physical sense, you will hear it constantly when discussing travel, sports, or science. For instance, when a GPS calculates a route, it is calculating the distancia. However, in a social context, 'distancia' often refers to a lack of intimacy or a deliberate choice to remain formal or aloof.
- Physical Measurement
- Refers to the objective space between points A and B. It is often paired with verbs like 'recorrer' (to travel/cover) or 'medir' (to measure).
- Emotional Reserve
- Describes the psychological gap between people. If someone is being 'distante', they are maintaining a 'distancia' that prevents closeness.
Para mantener la salud durante la pandemia, era necesario respetar la distancia de seguridad de dos metros entre cada persona.
In Spanish culture, which is traditionally high-contact and values physical proximity, the word 'distancia' can sometimes carry a slightly negative or cold connotation when applied to people. To 'keep one's distance' (guardar las distancias) is a sign of respect in formal settings, but in a friendship, it might signal a problem. Linguistically, it functions as a feminine noun, always preceded by 'la' or 'una'. It is also the root of several important verbs like 'distanciar' (to distance) and adjectives like 'distante' (distant). Whether you are talking about the vast distancia between stars in an astronomy class or the distancia you feel from your hometown after living abroad for years, the word serves as a bridge—or the lack thereof—between two entities.
Desde esta distancia, las montañas parecen pequeñas nubes en el horizonte.
Using 'distancia' correctly involves understanding its role as a noun and how it interacts with prepositions. The most common prepositional structure is 'en la distancia' (in the distance) or 'a [X] distancia' (at [X] distance). When you want to say something is far away, you might say it is 'a una gran distancia'. Conversely, if something is close, it is 'a poca distancia'. It is vital to note that 'distancia' is the noun form; you cannot use it as an adverb. For example, you wouldn't say 'Él vive distancia', you must say 'Él vive a una gran distancia'. This distinction is a common hurdle for English speakers who might want to use it like the word 'far'.
- The Preposition 'A'
- Used to indicate a specific measurement: 'El hotel está a una distancia de cinco kilómetros'.
- The Preposition 'En'
- Used to describe location within a field of vision: 'Vi un barco en la distancia'.
A pesar de la distancia, nuestro amor sigue siendo fuerte y vibrante.
In more advanced contexts, 'distancia' is used with verbs like 'acortar' (to shorten) and 'alargar' (to lengthen). These are frequently used metaphorically. For instance, 'La tecnología ayuda a acortar las distancias entre las personas' (Technology helps shorten the distances between people). In sports, especially racing or football, 'distancia' refers to the gap between competitors. A commentator might say, 'El corredor aumentó la distancia con sus perseguidores' (The runner increased the distance from his pursuers). This versatility makes it a high-frequency word across various domains, from the highly technical to the deeply poetic.
Es importante mantener una distancia crítica cuando se analiza una obra de arte.
You will encounter 'distancia' in a wide array of real-world scenarios. In an airport or train station, announcements frequently mention 'trenes de larga distancia' (long-distance trains). If you are driving in a Spanish-speaking country, road signs might warn you to maintain the 'distancia de seguridad' (safety distance) from the car in front of you. In a classroom, a teacher might ask students to 'mantener la distancia' to avoid whispering during an exam. It is also a staple of weather reports, where visibility is often described as the 'distancia de visibilidad'.
- Transportation
- Used to categorize routes: 'vuelos de corta/media/larga distancia'.
- Technology
- Used in 'educación a distancia' (distance learning) or 'control a distancia' (remote control).
El control a distancia no funciona porque las pilas están agotadas.
Beyond these practical uses, 'distancia' is a favorite word in Spanish music and literature. Boleros and ballads often lament the 'distancia' between lovers, using it as a synonym for heartbreak and longing. Song lyrics like 'la distancia es el olvido' (distance is forgetting) highlight how the word carries a heavy emotional weight. In news broadcasts, you might hear about 'distanciamiento social' or 'distanciamiento político', referring to a breakdown in negotiations or relations between parties. Even in everyday gossip, someone might say 'Ella ha marcado distancias con su grupo de amigos', meaning she has distanced herself or set boundaries. This demonstrates that 'distancia' is not just a number on a map, but a measure of human connection.
One of the most frequent errors English speakers make is confusing the noun 'distancia' with the adverb 'lejos' (far). In English, 'distance' and 'far' are related but used in different grammatical structures. In Spanish, you cannot say 'La casa está distancia'; you must use the adjective 'lejana' or the adverb 'lejos'. 'Distancia' requires a measurement or a prepositional phrase to function in that context. Another common mistake is using 'distancia' when 'espacio' (space) might be more appropriate. While 'distancia' refers to the gap between two points, 'espacio' refers to the volume or area itself.
- Confusion with 'Lejos'
- Incorrect: 'Mi escuela está mucha distancia'. Correct: 'Mi escuela está a mucha distancia' or 'Mi escuela está lejos'.
- Gender Errors
- 'Distancia' is feminine. Avoid saying 'el distancia'. It must be 'la distancia' or 'una distancia'.
Muchos estudiantes dicen 'el distancia', pero lo correcto es siempre femenino.
Another nuance is the plural form 'distancias'. While 'distancia' is usually singular when referring to a specific gap, 'las distancias' (the distances) is used when talking about long-distance travel in general or when comparing multiple gaps. For example, 'En Texas, las distancias son enormes' (In Texas, distances are huge). Using the singular here might sound slightly less natural. Finally, be careful with the verb 'distanciar'. It is a transitive verb, meaning it needs an object, or it can be reflexive ('distanciarse'). You cannot just say 'Yo distancié'; you must say 'Yo me distancié de él' (I distanced myself from him).
While 'distancia' is the most common term, Spanish offers several nuances through synonyms like 'trecho', 'trayecto', 'lejanía', and 'espacio'. Choosing the right one depends on whether you are emphasizing the journey, the physical gap, or the feeling of being far away. For instance, 'lejanía' focuses on the state of being far (remoteness), whereas 'trayecto' focuses on the path taken between two points. Understanding these differences will elevate your Spanish from basic to sophisticated.
- Trecho
- Refers to a stretch or a short part of a distance. 'Falta un trecho para llegar' (There's a stretch left to arrive).
- Trayecto
- Refers to the route or the act of traveling the distance. 'El trayecto en tren dura dos horas'.
- Lejanía
- Refers to the quality of being far or a distant place. 'Se perdió en la lejanía'.
Aunque la distancia es grande, el trayecto es muy hermoso.
In metaphorical speech, 'brecha' (gap/rift) is often used instead of 'distancia' to describe a significant difference in opinion or status. For example, 'la brecha generacional' (the generation gap) or 'la brecha salarial' (the wage gap). While you could use 'distancia' here, 'brecha' implies a more profound or problematic separation. Conversely, if you want to sound more technical or scientific, 'intervalo' (interval) might be used to describe the distance between points on a scale. Learning these alternatives allows you to be more precise in your descriptions of space and relationships.
How Formal Is It?
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Fun Fact
The word has remained remarkably similar in form and meaning from Latin through Old Spanish to the modern day.
Pronunciation Guide
- Pronouncing the 'cia' as 'sha' (like distance in English). It must be 'see-ah'.
- Missing the second 'i' and saying 'distanca'.
- Putting the stress on the last syllable.
- Pronouncing the 'd' too hard; in Spanish, 'd' is softer and dental.
- Confusing it with the English word 'distanced' (verb).
Difficulty Rating
Very easy to recognize because it looks like 'distance' in English.
Learners often forget the 'i' in 'cia'.
Getting the 'cia' pronunciation right is key.
Clearly pronounced in most dialects.
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Nouns ending in -cia are almost always feminine.
La distancia, la paciencia, la elegancia.
Preposition 'a' is used for distance measurement.
Estamos a diez kilómetros.
Adjectives must agree in gender with 'distancia'.
Una distancia larga.
Using 'en' for location 'in the distance'.
Lo vi en la distancia.
Pluralizing 'distancia' for general concepts.
Las distancias en el desierto.
Examples by Level
La distancia es corta.
The distance is short.
Simple subject-verb-adjective structure.
Hay mucha distancia entre las ciudades.
There is a lot of distance between the cities.
Use of 'hay' to indicate existence.
Mi casa está a poca distancia.
My house is a short distance away.
Preposition 'a' with 'poca distancia'.
La distancia es de diez kilómetros.
The distance is ten kilometers.
Using 'de' to specify measurement.
Me gusta caminar largas distancias.
I like to walk long distances.
Plural form 'distancias'.
Vemos el mar en la distancia.
We see the sea in the distance.
Phrase 'en la distancia'.
La distancia no es un problema.
Distance is not a problem.
Negative sentence with 'no'.
Es una distancia muy grande.
It is a very large distance.
Use of 'una' (feminine article).
Estudio en una escuela a distancia.
I study at a distance learning school.
Compound phrase 'a distancia'.
El control a distancia no tiene pilas.
The remote control has no batteries.
'Control a distancia' is a common term.
Mantén la distancia de seguridad.
Keep the safety distance.
Imperative 'mantén'.
El hotel está a una distancia de dos metros de la playa.
The hotel is at a distance of two meters from the beach.
Specific measurement structure.
La distancia entre nosotros ha crecido.
The distance between us has grown.
Metaphorical use for relationships.
Desde esta distancia, no veo bien.
From this distance, I don't see well.
Preposition 'desde'.
Él corre distancias medias.
He runs middle distances.
Classification of distances.
La distancia total del viaje es larga.
The total distance of the trip is long.
Adjective 'total' modifying 'distancia'.
Debemos acortar las distancias entre los departamentos.
We must bridge the gaps between the departments.
Verb 'acortar' (to shorten).
Ella prefiere guardar las distancias con su jefe.
She prefers to keep her distance from her boss.
Idiom 'guardar las distancias'.
La distancia emocional es más difícil de medir.
Emotional distance is harder to measure.
Abstract noun usage.
A pesar de la distancia, nos llamamos cada día.
Despite the distance, we call each other every day.
Concession clause with 'A pesar de'.
El corredor mantuvo la distancia durante toda la carrera.
The runner kept the distance throughout the race.
Past tense 'mantuvo'.
La tecnología ha eliminado la distancia física.
Technology has eliminated physical distance.
Perfect tense 'ha eliminado'.
Hay un trecho de distancia entre el pueblo y el río.
There is a stretch of distance between the town and the river.
Using 'trecho' as a synonym.
Marcaron distancias para evitar conflictos.
They set boundaries to avoid conflicts.
Idiom 'marcar distancias'.
La distancia focal de la lente es impresionante.
The focal distance of the lens is impressive.
Technical terminology.
El distanciamiento social fue clave para frenar el virus.
Social distancing was key to stopping the virus.
Derivative 'distanciamiento'.
Es necesario tomar distancia para ver el problema con claridad.
It is necessary to take a step back to see the problem clearly.
Idiom 'tomar distancia'.
La distancia entre el dicho y el hecho es grande.
There is a big gap between saying and doing.
Proverbial usage.
La educación a distancia requiere mucha autodisciplina.
Distance education requires a lot of self-discipline.
Social/Educational context.
Calculamos la distancia mediante trigonometría.
We calculated the distance using trigonometry.
Scientific/Mathematical context.
La distancia insalvable entre las dos facciones políticas.
The unbridgeable distance between the two political factions.
Advanced adjective 'insalvable'.
Se mantuvo a una distancia prudencial del fuego.
He kept a safe distance from the fire.
Adjective 'prudencial'.
La distancia irónica es fundamental en la narrativa moderna.
Ironic distance is fundamental in modern narrative.
Literary theory term.
Su frialdad denotaba una distancia insuperable.
Her coldness denoted an insuperable distance.
High-level vocabulary.
El telescopio mide distancias astronómicas.
The telescope measures astronomical distances.
Scientific precision.
La distancia de los años nos permite juzgar mejor.
The distance of years allows us to judge better.
Temporal distance.
Se percibe una distancia insondable en su mirada.
An unfathomable distance is perceived in his gaze.
Poetic adjective 'insondable'.
La obra juega con la distancia entre el actor y el público.
The play plays with the distance between the actor and the audience.
Artistic context.
La distancia semántica entre estas palabras es mínima.
The semantic distance between these words is minimal.
Linguistic terminology.
A corta distancia, se aprecian las imperfecciones.
At close range, the imperfections are appreciated.
Fixed phrase 'a corta distancia'.
La distancia ontológica entre el ser y la nada.
The ontological distance between being and nothingness.
Philosophical register.
Su prosa mantiene una distancia aristocrática con el lector.
His prose maintains an aristocratic distance from the reader.
Metaphorical literary criticism.
La distancia cenital es un concepto clave en astronomía.
Zenith distance is a key concept in astronomy.
Specialized scientific term.
El poema explora la distancia que media entre el deseo y la realidad.
The poem explores the distance that lies between desire and reality.
Complex relative clause.
A pesar de la distancia de los siglos, el texto sigue vigente.
Despite the distance of centuries, the text remains valid.
Historical distance.
La distancia infranqueable de su silencio nos abrumó.
The impassable distance of his silence overwhelmed us.
Evocative literary language.
La distancia hiperbólica en sus relatos confunde al lector.
The hyperbolic distance in his stories confuses the reader.
Rhetorical terminology.
La distancia focal se ajusta milimétricamente.
The focal distance is adjusted millimetrically.
Technical adverb 'milimétricamente'.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
— To set boundaries or show lack of interest.
Ella marcó distancias desde el principio.
— To maintain a formal or respectful gap.
Es mejor guardar las distancias con los desconocidos.
— To physically move away to solve a problem.
Decidió poner distancia de por medio y viajar.
— To overcome a gap or difference.
Intentamos salvar la distancia entre nuestras ideas.
— The physical space between people in public.
Respetamos la distancia social en el cine.
Often Confused With
'Lejos' is an adverb (far), 'distancia' is a noun (distance). You can't say 'está mucha distancia' without the preposition 'a'.
'Espacio' is the area; 'distancia' is the length between two specific points.
'Trayecto' is the journey or route; 'distancia' is the measurement of that route.
Idioms & Expressions
— To remain formal and not get too close to someone.
Con mi jefe, siempre guardo las distancias.
Neutral— To clearly show that you don't want to be close to someone.
Él marcó las distancias cuando ella intentó ser cariñosa.
Informal— To reduce the gap between two people or things, often metaphorically.
Esa conversación ayudó a acortar distancias entre ellos.
Neutral— Similar to 'guardar', emphasizing the act of staying back.
Es prudente mantener las distancias en un debate.
Neutral— To leave or separate oneself from a situation or person.
Después de la pelea, ella puso distancia de por medio.
Informal— Used to describe things seen or felt from far away.
En la distancia, se oía el mar.
Literary— Very close, often used in sports or combat.
El disparo fue a corta distancia.
Neutral— Having space between, often used for relationships.
Con tanta distancia de por medio, es difícil seguir juntos.
Neutral— To step back to think or gain perspective.
Necesito tomar distancia para decidir qué hacer.
NeutralEasily Confused
Both refer to being far.
'Lejanía' is the state of being far or the horizon; 'distancia' is the specific gap.
La lejanía de las estrellas vs. La distancia de 5 años luz.
Both mean a space between points.
'Trecho' is usually a shorter, specific piece of a larger distance.
Falta un trecho para llegar a la meta.
Both mean a gap.
'Intervalo' is more technical and can also refer to time.
Un intervalo de 5 minutos.
Both involve space.
'Recorrido' is the path taken; 'distancia' is how long that path is.
El recorrido fue por el bosque; la distancia fue de 2km.
Both involve space.
'Alejamiento' is the action of moving away.
Su alejamiento fue repentino.
Sentence Patterns
La distancia es [adjetivo].
La distancia es grande.
Estamos a una distancia de [número].
Estamos a una distancia de un metro.
A pesar de la distancia, [frase].
A pesar de la distancia, somos amigos.
Es necesario [verbo] distancias.
Es necesario acortar distancias.
Se percibe una distancia [adjetivo avanzado].
Se percibe una distancia insalvable.
La distancia que media entre [A] y [B].
La distancia que media entre el sueño y el logro.
Educación a distancia.
Ella hace un curso de educación a distancia.
Guardar las distancias con [alguien].
Guarda las distancias con él.
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
High (Top 1000 words in Spanish)
-
El distancia es largo.
→
La distancia es larga.
'Distancia' is feminine, so the article and adjective must be feminine.
-
Vive mucha distancia.
→
Vive a mucha distancia.
You need the preposition 'a' to indicate the measurement of distance.
-
La distanca es corta.
→
La distancia es corta.
Missing the 'i' in the 'cia' ending.
-
Él es muy distancia.
→
Él es muy distante.
Use the adjective 'distante' to describe a person, not the noun 'distancia'.
-
En corta distancia.
→
A corta distancia.
The correct fixed phrase uses 'a'.
Tips
Noun vs Adverb
Remember that 'distancia' is a noun. You need a verb like 'hay' or 'está a' to use it correctly in a sentence.
Personal Space
In Spain and Latin America, 'distancia' between speakers is smaller. Don't be surprised if people stand close!
Acortar distancias
This is a great phrase for business or social settings to mean 'getting to know each other better'.
The 'cia' Sound
Make sure to pronounce the 'i' and 'a' separately but quickly: 'see-ah'.
Spelling
Double check the 'i' after the 't' and before the 'a'.
Safety
'Distancia de seguridad' is the term used for the gap between cars on the road.
Trains
Look for 'Larga Distancia' signs in Spanish train stations (Renfe) for high-speed trains.
Marcar distancias
Use this when you want to say someone is being cold or setting a boundary.
Online Learning
'Educación a distancia' is the standard term for online or correspondence courses.
Units
In Spanish, distance is measured in 'metros' and 'kilómetros' (metric system).
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of a 'Distance' sign in Spanish. It's 'Distancia'—just add an 'a' and remember the 'cia' sounds like 'see-ah'.
Visual Association
Imagine two points on a map with a long, dotted line between them labeled 'LA DISTANCIA'.
Word Web
Challenge
Try to estimate the 'distancia' between your bed and your door in meters using a Spanish sentence.
Word Origin
From the Latin 'distantia', which comes from the verb 'distare'. The prefix 'di-' means 'apart' and 'stare' means 'to stand'.
Original meaning: Standing apart or standing at a distance.
Romance (Latin root).Cultural Context
Be careful when telling someone to 'mantener la distancia'; it can sound very rude if not used in a safety context.
English speakers often use 'far' where Spanish uses 'distancia'. Remember 'distancia' is a noun.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Driving
- Mantener la distancia
- Distancia de seguridad
- A cuánta distancia
- Señal de distancia
Relationships
- Guardar las distancias
- Marcar distancias
- Amor a distancia
- Distancia emocional
Travel
- Larga distancia
- Corta distancia
- Recorrer la distancia
- Trayecto
Science
- Distancia focal
- Medir la distancia
- Distancia astronómica
- Intervalo
Technology
- Control a distancia
- Educación a distancia
- Trabajo a distancia
- Conexión a distancia
Conversation Starters
"¿Cuál es la distancia más larga que has caminado?"
"¿Crees que las relaciones a distancia pueden funcionar?"
"¿Qué distancia hay de tu casa a tu trabajo?"
"¿Prefieres la educación presencial o a distancia?"
"¿Cómo acortas distancias con personas que no conoces?"
Journal Prompts
Escribe sobre un momento en el que tuviste que poner distancia con alguien para sentirte mejor.
Describe la distancia física y emocional entre tú y tu ciudad natal.
¿Cómo ha cambiado la tecnología la forma en que percibimos la distancia?
Escribe sobre un viaje de larga distancia que haya cambiado tu vida.
¿Qué significa para ti 'guardar las distancias' en el trabajo?
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsEs femenino: 'la distancia'. Nunca digas 'el distancia'.
Se dice 'relación a distancia'. Ejemplo: 'Tengo una relación a distancia'.
'Distancia' es un nombre (noun) y 'lejos' es un adverbio. Dices 'La distancia es mucha' o 'Él vive lejos'.
Significa ser formal o no ser demasiado amigable con alguien por respeto o frialdad.
Sí, metafóricamente. 'La distancia de los años' se refiere al tiempo pasado.
Se dice 'control a distancia' o simplemente 'mando'.
Se dice 'distanciamiento social'.
Es un modismo que significa 'a muy corta distancia'.
No tiene una abreviatura estándar común, pero en física se usa 'd'.
Sí, es una de las palabras más importantes para describir el espacio y las relaciones en español.
Test Yourself 200 questions
Escribe una oración usando 'distancia' y 'kilómetros'.
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Describe por qué es importante la 'distancia de seguridad' al conducir.
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¿Qué prefieres: educación presencial o a distancia? ¿Por qué?
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Escribe sobre una persona que sea 'distante'.
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Usa la frase 'acortar distancias' en un contexto de negocios.
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Explica el significado de 'guardar las distancias'.
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Crea una oración poética con 'lejanía' y 'distancia'.
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Escribe un breve párrafo sobre una relación a distancia.
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¿Cómo ha afectado la tecnología a la 'distancia social'?
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Describe lo que ves 'en la distancia' desde tu ventana.
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Usa 'distancia focal' en una oración sobre fotografía.
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Escribe una advertencia para un conductor sobre la distancia.
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Explica la diferencia entre 'distancia' y 'trayecto'.
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Escribe una oración con 'marcar distancias'.
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¿Qué significa 'a tiro de piedra'? Escribe un ejemplo.
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Usa 'distanciamiento social' en una oración sobre salud.
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Describe un viaje de 'larga distancia' que hiciste.
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Escribe una oración con 'a corta distancia'.
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¿Cómo se siente la 'distancia emocional'?
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Usa 'distancia' para hablar de historia.
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¿A qué distancia está el supermercado de tu casa?
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¿Has tenido alguna vez una relación a distancia?
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¿Qué haces para acortar distancias con alguien nuevo?
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¿Por qué es importante guardar las distancias en el trabajo?
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¿Prefieres viajar largas distancias en avión o en tren?
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¿Qué opinas del distanciamiento social?
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¿Qué ves en la distancia cuando miras al horizonte?
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¿Cómo mides la distancia en tu vida diaria?
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¿Te consideras una persona distante o cercana?
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¿Qué distancia hay entre tus sueños y tu realidad actual?
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¿Cómo explicas el concepto de 'distancia focal' a un principiante?
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¿Qué significa 'poner distancia de por medio' en una pelea?
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¿Crees que la tecnología ha eliminado la distancia?
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¿Cuál es la distancia más corta entre dos puntos?
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¿Te gusta la educación a distancia?
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¿Cómo se dice 'remote control' en tu país?
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¿Qué distancia recorres cada mañana?
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¿Es difícil mantener la distancia de seguridad en tu ciudad?
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¿Qué importancia tiene la distancia en el arte?
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¿A qué distancia está la luna?
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Transcripción: 'El hotel está a una distancia de 500 metros de la estación.' ¿A cuánto está el hotel?
Transcripción: 'Señores pasajeros, este es un tren de larga distancia con destino a Sevilla.' ¿A dónde va el tren?
Transcripción: 'No encuentro el control a distancia, ¿lo has visto?' ¿Qué está buscando?
Transcripción: 'Mantenga la distancia de seguridad con el vehículo precedente.' ¿Qué debe hacer el conductor?
Transcripción: 'La distancia entre nosotros es insalvable, lo siento.' ¿Cómo es la distancia?
Transcripción: 'Vi un destello en la distancia.' ¿Qué vio la persona?
Transcripción: 'Inscríbete en nuestro curso de educación a distancia.' ¿Qué tipo de curso es?
Transcripción: 'Acortamos distancias gracias al nuevo puente.' ¿Qué ayudó a acortar distancias?
Transcripción: 'Ella marcó distancias con el grupo después de la discusión.' ¿Qué hizo ella?
Transcripción: 'La distancia de frenado aumentó por la lluvia.' ¿Por qué aumentó la distancia?
Transcripción: 'A corta distancia, el león parece más grande.' ¿Cuándo parece más grande el león?
Transcripción: 'La distancia focal de este objetivo es de 50mm.' ¿Cuál es la medida?
Transcripción: 'Hay un gran trecho de distancia hasta la cima.' ¿Qué falta para llegar?
Transcripción: 'Desde esta distancia no puedo leer el cartel.' ¿Qué problema tiene?
Transcripción: 'La distancia entre la realidad y la ficción es borrosa.' ¿Cómo es la distancia?
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Summary
The word 'distancia' is essential for measuring the world and describing human relationships. For example, 'La distancia entre Madrid y Toledo es de 70 kilómetros' shows its literal use, while 'Hay una gran distancia entre ellos' shows its emotional use.
- Distancia refers to physical length or the gap between two points, objects, or people.
- It is a feminine noun in Spanish, used with 'la' or 'una'.
- Beyond physical space, it describes emotional coldness or social boundaries.
- Commonly used in phrases like 'a distancia' (remote) and 'en la distancia' (far away).
Noun vs Adverb
Remember that 'distancia' is a noun. You need a verb like 'hay' or 'está a' to use it correctly in a sentence.
Personal Space
In Spain and Latin America, 'distancia' between speakers is smaller. Don't be surprised if people stand close!
Acortar distancias
This is a great phrase for business or social settings to mean 'getting to know each other better'.
The 'cia' Sound
Make sure to pronounce the 'i' and 'a' separately but quickly: 'see-ah'.
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
Related Phrases
More travel words
acampada
B1The activity of spending a holiday living in a tent.
accesible
B1Able to be reached or entered; available.
acera
A1Sidewalk or pavement; a paved path for pedestrians at the side of a road.
acerca
B1On the subject of; concerning.
adelantar
A2To overtake or advance, to pass another vehicle or person.
adonde
A2To what place or destination.
adónde
A2Where to, to what place.
aduana
A1Customs; the official department that collects duties on imports and exports.
aerolínea
B1A company that provides regular public flights of aircraft for passengers and cargo.
aeropuerto
A1Airport