Inklingo

albergar

ahl-behr-GAHRalbeɾˈɡaɾ

albergar means to house in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

to house, to hostAlso: to shelter

VerbB1regular (with spelling change) ar
A cozy stone cottage with a warm yellow light glowing in the window, nestled among green hills.
gerundalbergando
past Participlealbergado
infinitivealbergar

📝 In Action

El museo alberga una colección increíble de arte moderno.

B1

The museum houses an incredible collection of modern art.

Esta ciudad albergará los próximos Juegos Olímpicos.

B2

This city will host the next Olympic Games.

El edificio puede albergar a más de quinientas personas.

B1

The building can accommodate more than five hundred people.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • albergar un eventoto host an event
  • albergar una colecciónto house a collection

to harborAlso: to cherish

VerbC1regular (with spelling change) arformal
A person sitting quietly under a tree, holding a glowing golden heart close to their chest.

📝 In Action

Todavía albergo la esperanza de que todo salga bien.

B2

I still harbor the hope that everything will turn out well.

No es bueno albergar rencor hacia los demás.

C1

It is not good to harbor resentment toward others.

Él albergaba serias dudas sobre el éxito del plan.

C1

He held serious doubts about the plan's success.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • albergar esperanzasto harbor hopes
  • albergar dudasto have doubts
  • albergar rencorto harbor a grudge

Subjunctive

Imperfect Subjunctive

yoalbergara
albergaras
él/ella/ustedalbergara
nosotrosalbergáramos
vosotrosalbergarais
ellos/ellas/ustedesalbergaran

Present Subjunctive

yoalbergue
albergues
él/ella/ustedalbergue
nosotrosalberguemos
vosotrosalberguéis
ellos/ellas/ustedesalberguen

Indicative

Preterite

yoalbergué
albergaste
él/ella/ustedalbergó
nosotrosalbergamos
vosotrosalbergasteis
ellos/ellas/ustedesalbergaron

Imperfect

yoalbergaba
albergabas
él/ella/ustedalbergaba
nosotrosalbergábamos
vosotrosalbergabais
ellos/ellas/ustedesalbergaban

Present

yoalbergo
albergas
él/ella/ustedalberga
nosotrosalbergamos
vosotrosalbergáis
ellos/ellas/ustedesalbergan

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "albergar" in Spanish:

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: albergar

Question 1 of 3

Which sentence correctly uses 'albergar' to mean 'to host'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family
albergue(shelter/hostel)Noun
albergado(guest/sheltered person)Noun
🎵 Rhymes
📚 Etymology

From the Gothic word 'haribergo,' where 'hari' meant army and 'bergo' meant shelter or camp. Originally, it was the place where an army would stay.

First recorded: 12th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: harborFrench: héberger

💡 Master Spanish

Take your Spanish to the next level. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories tailored to your level with the Inklingo app!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'albergar' the same as 'alojar'?

They are very similar! 'Alojar' is specifically about giving someone a place to sleep (like a hotel). 'Albergar' is broader—it can be used for feelings, events, or objects in a museum too.

When should I use the 'gu' spelling?

Use it whenever the ending starts with 'e'. This happens in the Past 'yo' form (albergué) and in all forms of the Present Subjunctive (albergue, albergues, etc.).

Is 'albergar' a common word in daily conversation?

It's more common in writing, news, or formal speech. In a casual chat with friends about where you're staying, you'd likely use 'quedarse' or 'hospedarse'.