estación
/es-ta-SYON/
season
One meaning of estación is 'season,' such as spring or summer.
📝 In Action
Mi estación favorita es la primavera.
A1My favorite season is spring.
En invierno hace mucho frío aquí.
A1In winter it's very cold here.
Compramos ropa para la nueva estación.
A2We are buying clothes for the new season.
💡 Grammar Points
Always Feminine
Remember that 'estación' is a feminine word, so you'll always use 'la' or 'una' with it, like 'la estación de verano' (the summer season).
Using 'en' for Seasons
To say something happens 'in' a season, you usually use the word 'en'. For example, 'En verano, vamos a la playa' (In summer, we go to the beach).
❌ Common Pitfalls
'Estación' vs. 'Temporada'
Mistake: "Me gusta la nueva estación de esa serie de televisión."
Correction: Me gusta la nueva temporada de esa serie de televisión. Use 'estación' for the four seasons of the year (spring, summer, etc.). Use 'temporada' for things like a TV show season, a sports season, or a fashion season.
This type of transportation hub is also called an estación (station).
📝 In Action
¿Dónde está la estación de tren?
A1Where is the train station?
El autobús para Madrid sale de la estación del Norte.
A2The bus to Madrid leaves from the North station.
Nos vemos en la entrada de la estación de metro.
A2I'll see you at the entrance of the metro station.
⭐ Usage Tips
'Estación' vs. 'Parada'
An 'estación' is a main hub, like a central train or bus station. A 'parada' is just a small, local stop along a route, like a city bus stop on a street corner.
Estación can also refer to a broadcasting station, like a radio or TV station.
estación(Noun)
station
?radio, TV, power plant, research base
resort
?e.g., ski resort
,center
?e.g., service center
📝 In Action
Esa es mi estación de radio favorita.
B1That is my favorite radio station.
La estación espacial internacional orbita la Tierra.
B2The international space station orbits the Earth.
Vamos a la estación de esquí en los Pirineos.
B1We are going to the ski resort in the Pyrenees.
Necesito encontrar una estación de servicio para poner gasolina.
A2I need to find a service station to get gas.
⭐ Usage Tips
A Building Block Word
Think of 'estación' in this sense as a 'home base' for something. You combine it with another word to explain what kind of base: 'estación de radio' (base for radio), 'estación de policía' (base for police).
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: estación
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'estación' to talk about a time of year?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How can 'estación' mean both 'season' and 'station'? They seem so different!
It's because they both come from the same Latin word, 'statiō', which means 'a place where you stand or stop'. A train station is a stop on a trip. A season is like a 'stop' in the year's journey. So, the idea of a fixed point in time or space connects them.
Is 'estación' always feminine?
Yes, always! No matter which meaning you're using, it's always 'la estación' or 'una estación'. For example, 'la estación de tren' (the train station) and 'la próxima estación es el verano' (the next season is summer).