What does "alrededor de" mean?
The phrase "alrededor de" translates to "around," "surrounding," or "approximately." It has two main uses: a physical one to describe something that surrounds or encircles a place or object, and an approximate one to indicate a rough number, time, or quantity. Both uses are extremely common in everyday Spanish.
Examples
1.
¿Hay alguna farmacia alrededor de aquí?
Is there a pharmacy around here? (presente de indicativo)
Is there a pharmacy around here? (presente de indicativo)
2.
Cuando era niño, siempre jugaba alrededor de la fuente del parque.
When I was a child, I always played around the fountain in the park. (imperfecto de indicativo)
When I was a child, I always played around the fountain in the park. (imperfecto de indicativo)
3.
Llegaron alrededor de las ocho de la tarde.
They arrived at around eight in the evening. (pretérito)
They arrived at around eight in the evening. (pretérito)
4.
El viaje durará alrededor de tres horas.
The journey will last around three hours. (futuro)
The journey will last around three hours. (futuro)
5.
El apartamento costaría alrededor de mil euros al mes.
The flat would cost around a thousand euros a month. (potencial simple)
The flat would cost around a thousand euros a month. (potencial simple)
6.
Espero que haya alrededor de veinte personas en la reunión.
I hope there are around twenty people at the meeting. (presente de subjuntivo)
I hope there are around twenty people at the meeting. (presente de subjuntivo)
7.
Buscaba un piso que estuviera alrededor de la universidad.
She was looking for a flat that was around the university. (imperfecto de subjuntivo)
She was looking for a flat that was around the university. (imperfecto de subjuntivo)
8.
¿Has estado alguna vez alrededor de esa zona de la ciudad?
Have you ever been around that area of the city? (perfecto de indicativo)
Have you ever been around that area of the city? (perfecto de indicativo)
9.
Cuando llegué, ya habían colocado sillas alrededor de la mesa.
When I arrived, they had already placed chairs around the table. (pluscuamperfecto de indicativo)
When I arrived, they had already placed chairs around the table. (pluscuamperfecto de indicativo)
10.
Apenas hubieron reunido alrededor de cien personas, comenzó el acto.
As soon as around a hundred people had gathered, the event began. (pretérito anterior — literary/formal)
As soon as around a hundred people had gathered, the event began. (pretérito anterior — literary/formal)
11.
Para el mediodía, habremos recorrido alrededor de cincuenta kilómetros.
By noon, we will have covered around fifty kilometres. (futuro perfecto)
By noon, we will have covered around fifty kilometres. (futuro perfecto)
12.
Habría costado alrededor de quinientos euros arreglarlo, pero decidí comprarlo nuevo.
It would have cost around five hundred euros to fix it, but I decided to buy a new one. (potencial compuesto)
It would have cost around five hundred euros to fix it, but I decided to buy a new one. (potencial compuesto)
13.
No creo que hayan invitado a alrededor de cien personas a esa fiesta tan pequeña.
I don't think they have invited around a hundred people to such a small party. (perfecto de subjuntivo)
I don't think they have invited around a hundred people to such a small party. (perfecto de subjuntivo)
14.
Si hubiera vivido alrededor de la oficina, habría ahorrado mucho tiempo cada día.
If I had lived around the office, I would have saved a lot of time every day. (pluscuamperfecto de subjuntivo)
If I had lived around the office, I would have saved a lot of time every day. (pluscuamperfecto de subjuntivo)
15.
Mira alrededor de ti antes de cruzar la calle.
Look around you before crossing the street. (imperativo)
Look around you before crossing the street. (imperativo)