andorra la vella: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal
Quick answer
What does “andorra la vella” mean?
The capital city of the Principality of Andorra, a microstate in the Pyrenees mountains.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The capital city of the Principality of Andorra, a microstate in the Pyrenees mountains.
The political, economic, and cultural centre of Andorra, known for its historic old town, tax-free shopping, and status as the highest capital city in Europe by elevation.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
None. Spelling and usage are identical in both varieties.
Connotations
None specific to either variety.
Frequency
Low frequency in both, appearing primarily in geographic, political, or travel contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “andorra la vella” in a Sentence
Located in Andorra la Vella, ...Andorra la Vella, which is the capital, ...The trip to Andorra la Vella was...Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Often mentioned in contexts of European microstate economics, tax treaties, or tourism industries.
Academic
Appears in geographical studies, political science texts about European microstates, or historical analyses of the Pyrenees region.
Everyday
Used in travel planning, general knowledge quizzes, or discussions about European geography.
Technical
Relevant in cartography, international diplomacy (as a seat of government), and demographic data sets.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “andorra la vella”
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “andorra la vella”
- Incorrect: 'Andorra la Vella is the capital of Spain.' (It's the capital of Andorra).
- Incorrect: 'Andorra la Vella are a beautiful city.' (Treat as singular: 'Andorra la Vella is...').
- Misspelling: 'Andora la Vela', 'Andorra la Vela'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is Catalan for 'the old (town)'. The full name distinguishes the capital from the rest of the country.
It is a city. It is the capital of the country (principality) of Andorra.
Commonly /ænˌdɔːr.ə lə ˈveɪ.jə/ in American English and /ænˌdɒr.ə lə ˈvel.jə/ in British English.
Not directly before the name as a subject (e.g., 'Andorra la Vella is...'), but you would use it in phrases like 'the city of Andorra la Vella' or 'the capital, Andorra la Vella'.
The capital city of the Principality of Andorra, a microstate in the Pyrenees mountains.
Andorra la vella is usually formal in register.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Remember it's AND-ORRA la VELLA: You can choose (AND/OR) to visit this VILLA in the mountains.
Conceptual Metaphor
A NODE OF COMMERCE AND GOVERNANCE (metaphor for a capital as a central point in a network).
Practice
Quiz
What is Andorra la Vella?