gueto

ghetto

noun GEH-toh Rare

Origin: Italian ghetto, from the Jewish quarter in Venice established in 1516

Usage Note

Gueto is the Spanish adaptation of Italian ghetto, originally referring to the forced Jewish quarters of European cities. In modern usage it refers to any marginalized urban neighborhood. The spelling gheto also appears but gueto is the form preferred by the RAE. It retains a strong socioeconomic and historical connotation.

Examples

"Muchas familias escaparon del gueto durante la guerra."

Natural Translation

Many families escaped the ghetto during the war.

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