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callejón means alley — a common term in Essential Spanish. Learn how it's used in a real-world example.

📅 Published: December 5, 2025

📘 Essential Spanish

callejón

noun • /[ca-ye-HON]/

alley

Example:

El hostal está en un callejón pequeño.

The hostel is in a small alley.

🧠 What does callejón mean?

A 'callejón' is a narrow street or passage, typically located between buildings in a city or town. It derives from the word 'calle' (street). While a 'calle' is a standard street for traffic and pedestrians, a 'callejón' is significantly narrower and often accessible only on foot. Sometimes it can refer to a dead-end street.

📚 Extra examples

  • Nos perdimos en los callejones del barrio gótico.
    We got lost in the alleys of the Gothic quarter.
  • Hay una pequeña cafetería escondida en ese callejón.
    There is a small café hidden in that alley.
  • El artista pintó una escena de un callejón empedrado.
    The artist painted a scene of a cobblestone alley.

💡 Did You Know?

The word 'callejón' is formed from 'calle' (street) and the suffix '-ón'. While '-ón' is often an augmentative suffix that makes a noun bigger (like 'silla' to 'sillón'), in the case of 'callejón' it serves to create a distinct noun for a specific type of street, emphasizing its character rather than its size.

🔁 Synonyms & opposites of "callejón"

Synonyms: callejuela, pasadizo, pasaje, travesía
Opposites: avenida, bulevar, calle ancha, vía principal

🔍 See more essential spanish words

❓ FAQ

How do you say 'alley' in Spanish?
The most common word for 'alley' in Spanish is 'callejón'. A related term is 'callejuela', which is a diminutive and suggests an even smaller or narrower alley.
How do you pronounce 'callejón' in Spanish?
The pronunciation is /ka.ʎeˈxon/ or /ka.ʝeˈxon/. The 'll' is typically pronounced like the 'y' in 'yes'. The 'j' has a strong 'h' sound, like the 'ch' in the Scottish 'loch'. The stress falls on the final syllable, '-jón'.
How do you use 'callejón' in a sentence?
Here is an example sentence: 'El coche era demasiado ancho para entrar en el callejón.' This means 'The car was too wide to enter the alley.'
What is the English translation of 'callejón'?
The primary English translation for 'callejón' is 'alley' or 'lane'. Figuratively, in the phrase 'callejón sin salida', it translates to 'dead end' or 'impasse'.
Does 'callejón' change for gender or number?
'Callejón' is a masculine noun. Its plural form is 'callejones'. For example, 'Los callejones de esa ciudad son famosos por su belleza.' (The alleys of that city are famous for their beauty.)
Is 'callejón' common in everyday Spanish?
Yes, 'callejón' is a common and standard word used in everyday Spanish to describe urban and town landscapes across the Spanish-speaking world.
Does 'callejón' have slang or double meanings?
The most significant double meaning is in the idiom 'un callejón sin salida', which literally means 'an alley without an exit'. It is widely used to describe a situation with no easy solution, an impasse, or a dead end.
Is 'callejón' used differently in Spain vs Latin America?
No, the word 'callejón' is used and understood with the same meaning of 'alley' or 'narrow street' throughout both Spain and Latin America. There are no notable regional differences.

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