administración
“administración” means “management” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
management, administration
Also: running, governance
📝 In Action
La administración de los recursos naturales es un desafío global.
B2The management of natural resources is a global challenge.
Estudió administración de empresas y ahora trabaja en finanzas.
B1She studied business administration and now works in finance.
Necesitas una buena administración del tiempo para terminar el proyecto.
A2You need good time management to finish the project.
administration, office
Also: the authorities, government
📝 In Action
La nueva administración prometió reducir los impuestos.
C1The new administration (government) promised to reduce taxes.
Fui a la administración de Hacienda para pagar mis impuestos.
B2I went to the Treasury office to pay my taxes.
La administración del edificio envió un aviso a todos los vecinos.
B1The building management sent a notice to all the residents.
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: administración
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'administración' to mean 'the physical office or institution'?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
Comes from the Latin word *administratio*, meaning 'direction,' 'management,' or 'superintendence.' It arrived in Spanish through French and has always kept its core meaning related to governing or serving.
First recorded: Medieval period (around the 13th century)
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'administración' the same as 'gobierno'?
Not exactly. 'Gobierno' is the political leadership (the cabinet, the president, etc.). 'Administración' is a broader term that includes the entire system, the bureaucracy, and the process of executing the government's decisions. When talking about the current US or Spanish government, you can often use 'administración' interchangeably, but 'administración' can also refer to non-governmental management.
How do I say 'administrator'?
The person who manages is called 'el administrador' (male) or 'la administradora' (female). The word 'administración' itself is only the noun for the concept or the body, never the person.