Lael logo

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

📅 Published: December 25, 2025

✈️ Travel Spanish

callejón

noun • /[ca-ye-HON]/

alley

Example:

El restaurante está en un callejón.

The restaurant is in an alley.

🧠 What does callejón mean?

A narrow passage or street, typically between buildings. It can refer to a service alley behind shops or houses, a small street in a historic town, or a generally secluded and often less maintained passageway. The term implies a confined space, often with limited access or a sense of being hidden away.

📚 Extra examples

  • Encontramos un encantador café escondido en un callejón estrecho.
    We found a charming café hidden in a narrow alley.
  • El cartero utiliza el callejón para acceder a los patios traseros.
    The mail carrier uses the alley to access the backyards.
  • Los niños jugaban en el callejón detrás de las casas.
    The children played in the alley behind the houses.
  • El callejón estaba lleno de grafitis artísticos.
    The alley was full of artistic graffiti.
  • El callejón desembocaba en una pequeña plaza.
    The alley opened into a small square.

💡 Did You Know?

The word 'callejón' comes from the diminutive of 'calle' (street), suggesting a smaller, narrower version of a main street. This etymology reinforces its meaning as a tight passage.

🔁 Synonyms & opposites of "callejón"

Synonyms: pasadizo, corredera, callejuela, vía, camino
Opposites: avenida, bulevar, calle principal

🔍 See more travel spanish words

❓ FAQ

How do you say 'alley' in Spanish?
The Spanish word for 'alley' is callejón.
How do you pronounce 'callejón' in Spanish?
The pronunciation of 'callejón' is kah-yeh-HOHN. The 'j' makes a sound similar to the 'h' in 'hat', and the 'ón' at the end is a nasal sound.
How do you use 'callejón' in a sentence?
You can use 'callejón' to describe a narrow passage, such as: 'Paseamos por el callejón histórico.' (We walked through the historic alley.)
What is the English translation of 'callejón'?
The most common English translation of 'callejón' is 'alley'.
Does 'callejón' change for gender or number?
Yes, 'callejón' is a masculine noun and follows standard Spanish pluralization rules. The singular form is 'callejón', and the plural form is 'callejones'.
Is 'callejón' common in everyday Spanish?
Yes, 'callejón' is a common word in everyday Spanish, especially when describing urban environments or older towns.
Does 'callejón' have slang or double meanings?
While 'callejón' primarily means alley, in some contexts, it can be used metaphorically to refer to a dead-end situation or a difficult predicament, similar to the English idiom 'a dead-end street'.
Is 'callejón' used differently in Spain vs Latin America?
The core meaning of 'callejón' as an alleyway is consistent across Spain and Latin America. Regional variations in vocabulary for different types of streets or passages might exist, but 'callejón' is widely understood in both regions.

📱 Download the App

Get reminders · Save favorites · Share words

Lael App Logo

Lael: Spanish Word of the Day

Download on the App Store