asilo
/ah-SEE-loh/
nursing home
An asilo (nursing home) provides a welcoming residence for the elderly.
asilo(noun)
nursing home
?residence for the elderly
,shelter
?general protective building
old age home
?less formal term for nursing home
📝 In Action
Mi abuela se mudó a un asilo donde la cuidan bien.
A2My grandmother moved to a nursing home where they take good care of her.
El asilo para niños huérfanos necesita donaciones.
B1The shelter for orphaned children needs donations.
💡 Grammar Points
Masculine Noun Rule
Remember that 'asilo' is always masculine, so you must use 'el' or 'un' before it: 'el asilo'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Clarifying the Type of Home
To be specific, always use 'asilo de ancianos' (for the elderly) or 'asilo de huérfanos' (for orphans), as 'asilo' alone can have the political meaning too.
Seeking asilo (asylum) means finding political protection and refuge in a safe country.
📝 In Action
El activista solicitó asilo político después de huir de su país.
B2The activist requested political asylum after fleeing his country.
La iglesia ofreció asilo a las familias desplazadas.
C1The church offered refuge (or sanctuary) to the displaced families.
💡 Grammar Points
Using 'Asilo'
When talking about the legal process, 'asilo' often pairs with verbs like 'solicitar' (to request) or 'pedir' (to ask for).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using the Wrong Preposition
Mistake: "Pedir asilo de un país."
Correction: Pedir asilo *en* un país. (We ask for asylum *in* a country, not *of* a country.)
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: asilo
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'asilo' in its formal, political meaning?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'asilo' the same as 'refugio'?
They are very similar synonyms, especially in the context of safety or protection. However, 'asilo' often carries a more formal, legal, or institutional weight (like 'political asylum' or 'nursing home'), while 'refugio' is often used for a more general 'shelter' or 'safe place'.
Does 'asilo' ever mean 'madhouse' or 'mental institution'?
Historically, yes, 'asilo' was used for mental institutions (similar to how 'asylum' was used in English). However, this usage is now very dated and potentially offensive. Modern Spanish uses terms like 'hospital psiquiátrico' (psychiatric hospital) instead.