periférico
Relating to or situated on the edge or periphery of an area; peripheral.
Periférico describes something positioned away from the center, whether physically or functionally.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Refers to something located on the outer edge.
- Describes secondary elements in a system.
- Commonly used for computer hardware accessories.
Summary
Periférico describes something positioned away from the center, whether physically or functionally.
- Refers to something located on the outer edge.
- Describes secondary elements in a system.
- Commonly used for computer hardware accessories.
Think of a circle's edge
Visualize a circle; the center is the core, and everything on the line is peripheral. This helps distinguish it from things that are just 'small' or 'unimportant'.
Don't confuse with marginal
Avoid using 'periférico' to mean 'unimportant' or 'ignored' in a negative way. It should primarily describe location or structural position.
Urban planning context
In many Spanish-speaking cities, 'periferia' carries a specific socio-economic meaning. It often refers to working-class residential areas located on the outskirts of major urban centers.
Examples
4 of 4La ciudad tiene muchos barrios periféricos.
The city has many peripheral neighborhoods.
Debemos conectar el periférico al puerto USB.
We must connect the peripheral to the USB port.
Ese es un tema periférico a nuestra discusión.
That is a topic peripheral to our discussion.
El desarrollo económico fue desigual en las zonas periféricas.
Economic development was unequal in the peripheral zones.
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of 'Periphery' in English. The Spanish word follows the same logic of being on the outside edge.
Visión general
La palabra 'periférico' proviene del griego 'peripherikos' y se utiliza para describir todo aquello que rodea un núcleo o centro. En términos geográficos, se refiere a las zonas alejadas del centro de una ciudad o región. En tecnología, se refiere a los dispositivos externos que se conectan a una computadora. 2) Patrones de uso: Se utiliza frecuentemente como adjetivo para calificar algo que no es central o principal. Cuando se usa como sustantivo (especialmente en plural), se refiere específicamente a los accesorios de hardware. 3) Contextos comunes: En urbanismo, hablamos de 'barrios periféricos' para designar las zonas residenciales alejadas del centro histórico. En informática, el término es esencial para hablar de teclados, ratones o impresoras. En un sentido figurado, se usa para describir ideas o problemas que no son el foco principal de una discusión. 4) Comparación con palabras similares: A diferencia de 'marginal', que implica una exclusión social o falta de importancia, 'periférico' es un término más neutro que simplemente indica posición geográfica o funcional. Mientras que 'secundario' enfatiza la falta de relevancia, 'periférico' enfatiza la ubicación externa.
Usage Notes
The term is used neutrally in technical and geographical contexts. In formal writing, it is preferred over 'secundario' when referring to structure. It is rarely used to describe people directly, except in medical or psychological contexts like 'vision'.
Common Mistakes
Learners often use it to mean 'unimportant' in any context. Remember that 'periférico' describes location, not necessarily importance. Do not use it as a synonym for 'small' or 'tiny'.
Memory Tip
Think of 'Periphery' in English. The Spanish word follows the same logic of being on the outside edge.
Word Origin
Derived from the Greek 'peripherikos', composed of 'peri' (around) and 'pherein' (to carry). It literally means 'carrying around' the outside.
Cultural Context
In Latin American and Spanish cities, the 'periferia' is a widely recognized social concept. It often refers to areas that developed rapidly around historical centers, sometimes lacking the same infrastructure as the city core.
Examples
La ciudad tiene muchos barrios periféricos.
everydayThe city has many peripheral neighborhoods.
Debemos conectar el periférico al puerto USB.
formalWe must connect the peripheral to the USB port.
Ese es un tema periférico a nuestra discusión.
informalThat is a topic peripheral to our discussion.
El desarrollo económico fue desigual en las zonas periféricas.
academicEconomic development was unequal in the peripheral zones.
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
en la periferia
in the periphery
visión periférica
peripheral vision
periféricos de entrada
input peripherals
Often Confused With
Marginal implies being on the edge of society or having little value. Peripheral is strictly about physical or functional location.
Grammar Patterns
Think of a circle's edge
Visualize a circle; the center is the core, and everything on the line is peripheral. This helps distinguish it from things that are just 'small' or 'unimportant'.
Don't confuse with marginal
Avoid using 'periférico' to mean 'unimportant' or 'ignored' in a negative way. It should primarily describe location or structural position.
Urban planning context
In many Spanish-speaking cities, 'periferia' carries a specific socio-economic meaning. It often refers to working-class residential areas located on the outskirts of major urban centers.
Test Yourself
Completa la oración con la palabra correcta.
El ratón y el teclado son ejemplos de un dispositivo ___.
El ratón y el teclado son accesorios externos conectados al sistema principal.
Score: /1
Frequently Asked Questions
3 questionsEs cualquier hardware externo que se conecta a una computadora para expandir sus funciones, como una impresora o un escáner. No forman parte del núcleo central del sistema, pero son esenciales para la interacción del usuario.
Sí, aunque es menos común. Se puede decir que alguien tiene una visión periférica o, en un sentido figurado, que sus opiniones son periféricas respecto al tema central de una reunión.
El antónimo principal es 'central'. Mientras que lo periférico está en los bordes, lo central es el núcleo o la parte más importante de un conjunto.
This Word in Other Languages
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