plaza

plaza — noun

1. a broad open space in a town or city where people can walk, meet, rest, or gathe

1.名詞B1
釋義

a broad open space in a town or city where people can walk, meet, rest, or gather for public events, especially in places shaped by Spanish-speaking traditions.

例句

Tourists gathered in the plaza to watch dancers after sunset.

pattern: gather in the plaza

A stone fountain stands in the plaza outside the old church.

typical feature: plaza fountain

同義詞
  • square

    the closest general word for an open public space in a town

  • piazza

    more strongly linked with Italy and often a travel or architectural context

  • courtyard

    usually enclosed by one building or a building group, not a town center

文法句型

in the plaza

across the plaza

gather in the plaza

用法筆記

Usually names an outdoor public square near other town buildings. Distinguish from sense 2, which refers to a built shopping site rather than an open civic space.

常見錯誤

❌Let's meet at plaza at six.
✅Let's meet at the plaza at six.
💡this countable noun normally needs an article or a place name.
❌We sat inside the plaza and watched the band.
✅We sat in the plaza and watched the band.
💡a plaza in this sense is usually open air, not an enclosed place.

2. a small commercial center planned as one site, usually with several stores and s

2.名詞B1
釋義

a small commercial center planned as one site, usually with several stores and sometimes offices, restaurants, and parking.

例句

Maya stopped at the plaza to pick up medicine and bread.

pattern: at the plaza

The new dentist moved her office into the plaza beside the supermarket.

plaza with shops and offices

同義詞
  • shopping center

    the broadest near-equivalent for a group of stores

  • mall

    often larger, and many malls are enclosed buildings

  • complex

    more general; can refer to many kinds of building groups, not just shops

文法句型

at the plaza

in the plaza

stores in the plaza

用法筆記

Refers to the whole commercial development, not to one single business inside it. Distinguish from sense 1, where the word names an open public square.

常見錯誤

❌The bakery is a plaza near the station.
✅The bakery is in a plaza near the station.
💡the plaza is the whole group of businesses, not one store.
❌We met in the plaza fountain area.
✅We met at the plaza.
💡in this sense, people usually refer to the shopping site as a whole.