Use of "estadounidense" as North American

Janet c.B2Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

Use of "estadounidense" as North American

The reading exercise translates estadounidense as North American. Is this usage more common in Spain? I thought estadounidense meant American, and norteamericano = North American. 

Asked 3 years ago
InmaKwiziq team member

Hola Janet

Both estadounidense and norteamericano/-a are used for North American. I don't think there is one that is used a lot more than the other. 

We don't use "americano/-a" because that would refer to all American people including Central and South America - but the narrator here is saying that she is from the U.S.A.

Saludos

Inma

 

Janet c.B2Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

Thanks for your explanation. I have to say, it's still a puzzle to me. I am canadiense, and would not identify myself as estadounidense, which sounds like someone from the Estados Unidos. Perhaps here the distinction is more specific (I wouldn't say I'm North American or American, just the same way -- I'm guessing -- that people from Spain wouldn't identify themselves as European. A discussion for another time and place!)

Use of "estadounidense" as North American

The reading exercise translates estadounidense as North American. Is this usage more common in Spain? I thought estadounidense meant American, and norteamericano = North American. 

Sign in to submit your answer

Don't have an account yet? Join today

Ask a question

Find your Spanish level for FREE

Test your Spanish to the CEFR standard

Find your Spanish level
Let me take a look at that...