Lugar vs. sitio
The Spanish language is rich with nuance, and this is evident in the subtle differences between the words 'lugar' and 'sitio', both of which translate into English as 'place'. While they can often be used interchangeably, there are certain contexts where one might be preferred over the other.
Lugar
'Lugar' translates directly to 'place' in English and is used in a general sense to reference a geographical location or position.
Vivo en un lugar muy bonito.
(I live in a very beautiful place.)
No tengo lugar para mis libros.
(I have no place for my books.)
El lugar del accidente estaba lejos de la ciudad.
(The place of the accident was far from the city.)
Sitio
'Sitio' also translates to 'place', but often connotes a specific spot or location within a larger area. It may also imply a purpose for the place, or be used to refer to a user-defined area - for example, an individual's spot on the beach or a favorite table at a restaurant.
Mi sitio favorito para leer es el parque.
(My favorite place to read is the park.)
Por favor, vuelve a poner el libro en su sitio.
(Please put the book back in its place.)
Estás sentado en mi sitio.
(You are sitting in my spot.)
Summary
While both 'lugar' and 'sitio' translate into English as 'place', and can often be used interchangeably, there are subtle differences between them. 'Lugar' is used more broadly to refer to a geographical location or situation, while 'sitio' implies a more specific or defined spot within an overall space.