Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
How to Say Out in Spanish: Fuera & Afuera
Fuera · adverb · FWEH-rah
The Spanish word for out is 'fuera,' indicating a position or movement outside of an enclosed space. 'Afuera' is a common variant used especially in Latin America to mean 'outside' or 'outdoors.' Since English uses 'out' in many phrasal verbs, the Spanish translation varies depending on context.
Pronounce 'fuera' as FWEH-rah, with stress on the first syllable. 'Afuera' is pronounced ah-FWEH-rah.
Los niños están jugando afuera en el jardín.
The children are playing outside in the garden.
Out in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for out, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| fuera | out | FWEH-rah | Default, widely understood |
| afuera | out | common in Latin America for outdoors | |
| salir | out | verb form meaning to go out |
How Native Speakers Use Fuera
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Telling someone to leave
¡Fuera de mi oficina ahora mismo!
Get out of my office right now!
Angrily asking someone to leave a room.
Going outside
Vamos afuera a tomar un poco de aire fresco.
Let's go out to get some fresh air.
Suggesting a break outdoors.
Something running out
Se nos acabó la leche; hay que comprar más.
We ran out of milk; we need to buy more.
Noticing a household item is finished.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Fuera
Directly translating phrasal verbs
Incorrect: Necesito figurar fuera este problema.
Correct: Necesito resolver este problema.
English phrasal verbs like 'figure out' do not translate word-for-word. Spanish uses entirely different verbs such as 'resolver' or 'descifrar.'
Confusing 'fuera' with 'fue'
Incorrect: Él fue de la casa.
Correct: Él salió de la casa.
'Fue' is the past tense of 'ser' or 'ir,' while leaving a place requires the verb 'salir.' The adverb 'fuera' is separate from these verb conjugations.
Lock in Out Vocabulary with the Parrot Method
Why word lists alone don't stick
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See Fuera used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using fuera in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear Los niños están jugando afuera en el jardín. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
Save, review, repeat, stay consistent
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Common Questions About Out in Spanish
- What is the difference between 'fuera' and 'afuera'?
- In practice, 'fuera' and 'afuera' are nearly interchangeable, but 'fuera' is slightly more common in Spain and 'afuera' is preferred in Latin America, and 'fuera' can also function in expressions like 'fuera de' (outside of).
- How do you say 'to go out' in Spanish?
- The verb 'salir' is the standard translation, as in 'voy a salir esta noche' (I'm going out tonight), and it is irregular in the first-person present tense: 'yo salgo.'
- Can 'fuera' be used as an exclamation?
- Shouting '¡Fuera!' by itself is a forceful command meaning 'Get out!' and is commonly heard in arguments, sports events, and any situation where someone demands another person leave.