Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
Wide in Spanish: Ancho
Ancho · adjective · AHN-choh
Wide in Spanish is ancho for physical width (a wide road, a wide table) and amplio for spacious or broad in scope (a wide selection, an ample space). Ancho also functions as a noun meaning 'width,' as in el ancho de la puerta (the width of the door). Like most adjectives, it changes form to agree with the noun: ancho (masculine), ancha (feminine).
Say AHN-choh with two syllables, stressing the first. The ch sounds like the ch in 'church.'
La avenida es muy ancha y tiene seis carriles.
The avenue is very wide and has six lanes.
Wide in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for wide, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| ancho | wide | AHN-choh | Default, widely understood |
| amplio | wide | spacious, broad in scope |
How Native Speakers Use Ancho
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Physical measurement
El río es tan ancho que necesitas un puente para cruzarlo.
The river is so wide that you need a bridge to cross it.
Ancho describes physical width for objects, spaces, and natural features.
Clothing fit
Esta camisa me queda demasiado ancha en los hombros.
This shirt is too wide on the shoulders.
In fashion, ancho/ancha describes looseness or oversized fit.
Broad scope
Tenemos una amplia variedad de opciones para el menú.
We have a wide variety of options for the menu.
Amplio/amplia is used for abstract breadth — variety, range, scope.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Ancho
Using grande instead of ancho for width
Incorrect: La mesa es muy grande de lado a lado.
Correct: La mesa es muy ancha.
Grande means big or large in general size. Ancho specifically refers to horizontal width. A table can be grande (large overall) or ancha (wide from side to side) — the meanings are different.
Confusing ancho and amplio
Incorrect: La carretera es muy amplia. (for measured width)
Correct: La carretera es muy ancha.
For measurable physical width, ancho is the correct adjective. Amplio works for spaciousness or abstract breadth, but it sounds vague when a specific width is implied.
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See Ancho used by native speakers
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Common Questions About Wide in Spanish
- How do you say wide in Spanish?
- Wide is ancho (masculine) or ancha (feminine) for physical width, and amplio/amplia for broad or spacious in an abstract sense. For example, un camino ancho is a wide path, while una amplia selección is a wide selection.
- Can ancho be used as a noun?
- Ancho functions as both an adjective and a noun. As a noun, el ancho means 'the width.' You might say el ancho de la puerta es de noventa centímetros (the width of the door is ninety centimeters).
- What is the opposite of ancho?
- The opposite of ancho is estrecho (narrow). Una calle estrecha is a narrow street, while una calle ancha is a wide street. Both are common adjectives that appear regularly in descriptions of physical spaces.