clínica
/KLEE-nee-kah/
clinic
Una clínica, or a clinic, is often a small medical facility.
clínica(noun)
clinic
?medical facility
hospital
?often used for smaller, specialized private hospitals
📝 In Action
Tuvimos que ir a la clínica dental de urgencia.
A1We had to go to the emergency dental clinic.
Mi bebé nació en una clínica privada cerca de aquí.
A2My baby was born in a private hospital near here.
La clínica está abierta 24 horas para recibir pacientes.
A1The clinic is open 24 hours to receive patients.
💡 Grammar Points
Gender Alert
Remember that 'clínica' is a feminine word, so you must use feminine articles like 'la' or 'una' before it.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing Size
Mistake: "Learners sometimes assume 'clínica' only means a small doctor's office."
Correction: While smaller than a general 'hospital' (hospital), a 'clínica' can still be large, specialized, and offer overnight stays.
⭐ Usage Tips
Public vs. Private
In many Spanish-speaking countries, 'clínica' often implies a private, fee-based institution, while 'hospital' often refers to a larger, public one.
Clínica can also refer to a specialized workshop or teaching session, like a sports clinic.
clínica(noun)
clinic
?workshop or specialized teaching session
seminar
?intensive learning session
📝 In Action
El famoso chef ofrecerá una clínica de cocina molecular este sábado.
B2The famous chef will offer a molecular cooking clinic this Saturday (a workshop).
Asistí a una clínica de guitarra para aprender nuevas técnicas de jazz.
C1I attended a guitar workshop to learn new jazz techniques.
💡 Grammar Points
The Academic Sense
This meaning is a direct borrowing from the English use of 'clinic' to mean a specialized, hands-on instruction session, often used in arts or sports.
⭐ Usage Tips
Context is Key
If you see 'clínica' mentioned with a sport, hobby, or art, it almost certainly means a specialized training session, not a medical facility.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: clínica
Question 1 of 2
If you read, 'El equipo de fútbol asistió a una clínica,' what does 'clínica' most likely mean?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'clínica' the same as 'hospital'?
They are very similar. 'Clínica' usually implies a private medical center or a facility specializing in a certain type of care (like dental or eye care). 'Hospital' is generally the broader term for a general, often public, medical center.
How do I know if 'clínica' refers to a building or a lesson?
Look at the context. If the sentence mentions doctors, illness, or treatment, it's a building. If it mentions learning, sports, music, or a teacher, it's a specialized lesson or workshop.