Lael logo

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

📅 Published: January 18, 2026

📘 Essential Spanish

playa

noun • /[PLA-ya]/

beach

Example:

La playa está a cinco minutos caminando.

The beach is five minutes away on foot.

🧠 What does playa mean?

Playa is a feminine noun that refers to an area of sand or small stones next to an ocean, sea, lake, or river. It is the most common word for 'beach' and is strongly associated with leisure activities like swimming, sunbathing, and vacations.

📚 Extra examples

  • Vamos a la playa este fin de semana para relajarnos.
    We are going to the beach this weekend to relax.
  • Prefiero las playas de arena blanca y aguas cristalinas.
    I prefer beaches with white sand and crystal-clear water.
  • Construimos un castillo de arena en la orilla de la playa.
    We built a sandcastle on the edge of the beach.
  • La playa estaba llena de gente durante las vacaciones de verano.
    The beach was full of people during the summer holidays.
  • Alquilaron una casa con vistas a la playa.
    They rented a house with views of the beach.

💡 Did You Know?

The English language has borrowed the word 'playa' from Spanish to refer to a specific geographical feature: a dry, flat lake bed in a desert basin. This is often seen in the southwestern United States.

🔁 Synonyms & opposites of "playa"

Synonyms: costa, litoral, orilla, arenal
Opposites: montaña, interior, campo, ciudad

🔍 See more essential spanish words

❓ FAQ

How do you say 'beach' in Spanish?
The most common and direct way to say 'beach' in Spanish is 'playa'.
How do you pronounce 'playa' in Spanish?
The pronunciation is 'PLAH-yah'. The 'll' is typically pronounced like the 'y' in 'yes'. In some regions, like Argentina and Uruguay, it may sound more like the 'j' in 'jet'.
How do you use 'playa' in a sentence?
A typical sentence would be: 'Me encanta caminar por la playa al atardecer', which means 'I love to walk on the beach at sunset'.
What is the English translation of 'playa'?
The English translation of 'playa' is 'beach'.
Does 'playa' change for gender or number?
'Playa' is a feminine noun. Its singular form is 'la playa' and its plural form is 'las playas'.
Is 'playa' common in everyday Spanish?
Yes, 'playa' is a very common and essential word, used frequently when discussing geography, travel, weather, and leisure activities.
Does 'playa' have slang or double meanings?
Yes. While its primary meaning is 'beach', in some Latin American countries (like Argentina, Uruguay, and Venezuela), 'playa' is also used to mean a parking lot, often as 'playa de estacionamiento'.
Is 'playa' used differently in Spain vs Latin America?
The main meaning of 'beach' is universal. The main difference is the secondary meaning of 'parking lot' ('playa de estacionamiento'), which is common in several Latin American countries but not used in Spain, where 'aparcamiento' or 'parking' is preferred.

📱 Download the App

Get reminders · Save favorites · Share words

Lael App Logo

Lael: Spanish Word of the Day

Download on the App Store