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local
/loˈkal/
local
El mercado local es muy económico.
The local market is very affordable.
neutral
Relating to or characteristic of a particular area or neighborhood, especially one's own.
Los productos locales son más frescos.
Local products are fresher.
El gobierno apoya a las empresas locales.
The government supports local businesses.
In Spanish, 'local' can also refer to a place where something happens (e.g., 'el local de ensayo' = rehearsal space) or a person from a specific area (e.g., 'los locales' = locals).
neutral
A person who lives in a particular place or neighborhood.
Los locales disfrutaron del festival.
The locals enjoyed the festival.
Commonly used in plural ('los locales') to refer to residents of a town or city.
Collocations
mercado locallocal marketempresa locallocal businessproducto locallocal productcultura locallocal culturegobierno locallocal government
Antonyms
Pro Tip
Avoid literal translations for 'local'
In Spanish, 'local' is often translated as 'local' in English, but avoid overusing it. For example, 'un restaurante local' is 'a local restaurant' (not 'a restaurant local').
Gold Rule
Use 'local' for place-based references
Use 'local' to describe things tied to a specific area, such as markets, products, or cultures. Avoid using it for abstract or non-place-based contexts.
Word Origin
From Latin 'localis', meaning 'belonging to a place', derived from 'locus' (place). The word entered Spanish through Latin and has retained its core meaning of relating to a specific place.
Usage Notes
In Spanish, 'local' is often used in administrative contexts (e.g., 'gobierno local' = local government) and commercial contexts (e.g., 'tiendas locales' = local shops). It can also describe something indigenous or native to a region, such as 'flora local' (local flora).
Diccionario Español-Inglés