Cuadra

Cuadra is a Spanish noun with two principal meanings that vary by country. The most common senses are: a city block—the area enclosed by streets; and a stable or stall for horses, particularly in rural, ranch, or equestrian contexts. In many Latin American countries, cuadra is used for both senses, while in Spain the term is more often associated with a horse stable, and the word for a city block more frequently used is manzana.

As a city block, cuadra refers to a section of a street with neighboring properties. People commonly say “una cuadra,” or “dos cuadras,” to indicate distance or location, as in “Estoy a dos cuadras de la estación.” The exact length of a cuadra is not standardized and varies widely from city to city, sometimes reflecting historical street grids or urban planning practices.

As a stable, cuadra denotes a building or set of buildings where horses are kept, including stalls, feeding areas, and related facilities. A single stable may be called “la cuadra,” and the term “cuadra de caballos” is also used to emphasize the equine function. In this sense, the word appears in ranches, riding clubs, and rural properties.

Etymology is linked to cuadra’s association with four-sided, square plots and the historical concept of blocks or enclosures; it is related to the root of cuadro and cuadrar, though meanings now diverge by region. See also manzana, bloque, cuadra de caballos.