ubicar

to locate

verb oo-bee-KAHR Common

Also means

to be located

Usage Note

Ubicar is more common in Latin America than in Spain, where situar or localizar are preferred. The reflexive ubicarse means 'to be located' or 'to find one's bearings' (el hotel se ubica en el centro). In informal Latin American Spanish, ubícate can mean 'get a clue' or 'know your place'.

Examples

"El museo se ubica en el centro histórico."

Natural Translation

The museum is located in the historic centre.

Literal Translation

The museum itself-locates in the historic centre.

Related Words

Explore Spanish by topic

SpanishNow

Spanish Subjunctive Explained Simply for Beginners

The Spanish subjunctive is a mood, not a tense — use it after a WEIRDO trigger plus que. Learn the one rule, the yo-form recipe, and the lines you already say.

June 9, 2026 5 min read

SpanishNow

Por vs Para in Spanish: One Mental Model, No Acronyms

Por looks backward at cause and path; para looks forward at goal and destination. Master por vs para in Spanish with one mental model — no acronyms needed.

June 3, 2026 6 min read

SpanishNow

Spanish Filler Words: 15 Ways to Sound Natural

Spanish filler words like pues, o sea, and vale make you sound natural, not robotic. Learn 15 muletillas sorted by job, by region, and when not to use them.

June 9, 2026 6 min read

SpanishNow

Tener in Spanish: Why You're Hungry, Cold & 30 Years

In Spanish you HAVE hunger, cold, and 30 years — not are them. Master tener expressions like tengo hambre, tengo frío, and tengo 30 años in one rule.

June 9, 2026 5 min read