embajada
/em-ba-HAH-dah/
embassy
An embajada is a diplomatic building or office (embassy).
embajada(noun)
embassy
?diplomatic building/office
diplomatic mission
?the staff or organization
📝 In Action
Necesitas ir a la embajada para solicitar la visa.
B1You need to go to the embassy to apply for the visa.
La embajada de España celebró una recepción anoche.
B2The Spanish embassy held a reception last night.
💡 Grammar Points
Feminine Noun
'Embajada' is always a feminine noun, so you must use the feminine article 'la' or 'una' before it.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Gender Confusion
Mistake: "El embajada."
Correction: La embajada. Remember that many words ending in '-ada' are feminine.
⭐ Usage Tips
Building vs. Staff
In Spanish, 'embajada' refers both to the physical building and the entire diplomatic organization or staff.
Embajada can also refer to an official message or communication.
embajada(noun)
message
?official communication or request
mission
?solemn or official task/errand
📝 In Action
El mensajero llevaba una embajada urgente del rey al parlamento.
C1The messenger carried an urgent message from the king to the parliament.
Cumplió su embajada de paz con sumo cuidado.
C2He fulfilled his peace mission with utmost care.
⭐ Usage Tips
Context is Key
If you see 'embajada' used in older texts or alongside words like 'rey' (king) or 'mensajero' (messenger), it likely refers to the communication itself, not the building.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: embajada
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'embajada' in its most common, modern sense?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between an 'embajada' (embassy) and a 'consulado' (consulate)?
An 'embajada' is the main diplomatic office, usually located in the capital city, and handles high-level political matters. A 'consulado' is a smaller office located in other large cities, focused on providing services to citizens, like visas, passports, and notary services.
How do I know if 'embajada' means the building or the message?
If the context involves international travel, paperwork, or a physical location ('ir a la embajada'), it means the building. If the context is historical, political communication, or involves a messenger ('llevar una embajada'), it means the message or mission.