Spanish Phrase
Está a unas 10 millas.
Meaning
The sentence tells the listener that something (a place, a town, a landmark) is roughly ten miles away from the current location. The word unas signals an approximate distance rather than an exact measurement.
When to use
Use this phrase when giving directions, answering a question about how far something is, or describing the distance between two points while traveling or planning a trip.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Estáaunas10millas
Estar (location)
Use estar, not ser, to talk about where something is or its distance from a reference point.
Preposition a (distance)
The preposition a introduces the distance measurement that follows.
Indefinite article unas
When the noun is feminine plural (millas) and the number is not exact, use unas (or unos for masculine).
Number + noun agreement
The noun must agree in gender and number with the article: millas is feminine plural, so unas.
🗨In Conversation
¿Cuánto falta para la playa?
How far is the beach?
Está a unas 10 millas.
It's about ten miles away.
✕Common Mistakes
Es a unas 10 millas.
Use estar, not ser, for location and distance.
Está unas 10 millas.
The preposition a is required before the distance measurement.
Está a un 10 millas.
The article must agree in gender and number: "unas" for feminine plural "millas".
↔Alternatives
Quedan unas 10 millas.
There are about 10 miles left.
Se encuentra a unas 10 millas.
It is located about 10 miles away.
Está a unos 10 kilómetros.
It's about 10 kilometers away.
Cultural Tip
In most Spanish‑speaking countries the metric system is standard, so locals will usually say "kilómetros" instead of "millas". However, in regions with strong U.S. influence (e.g., Puerto Rico, parts of Mexico near the border) miles are common, and the phrase "a unas" conveys a casual, approximate distance. Adjust the article (unos/unas) to match the gender of the unit you use.