fila
nounCEFR B2
What does “fila” mean in English?
row, queue
row, queue (people or objects arranged in a line; hacer cola/fila; una fila de personas)
Example sentences
Las filas interminables para acceder al servicio de urgencias reflejan la saturación del sistema sanitario.
The endless queues to access the emergency service reflect the saturation of the healthcare system.
Los alumnos entraron al aula en fila india tras el toque de timbre de inicio de clase.
The pupils entered the classroom in single file after the bell rang to start class.
Los espectadores formaron una larga fila fuera del teatro esperando que abrieran las puertas.
The spectators formed a long queue outside the theatre waiting for the doors to open.
How to use it
La fila (noun, feminine) means 'row, line, queue' — a line of people or objects. Core B2 collocations: hacer fila/cola (to queue); fila india (single file); fila de espera; sentarse en primera fila. In Latin America hacer fila is standard; in Spain hacer cola is more common but fila is understood everywhere. The adjective is en fila. Don't confuse with cola (queue — Spain) or hilera (row of objects).
Common mistake
In peninsular Spanish, hacer cola (to queue) is more common than hacer fila, but both are understood. 'Front row' = primera fila. 'Row 5' = fila 5. 'In a row' (consecutively) = seguido/consecutivo (not *en una fila).