formación
“formación” means “training” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
training, education
Also: background, development
📝 In Action
Necesitas más formación para ese puesto de trabajo.
A2You need more training for that job position.
Mi formación académica es en ingeniería.
B1My academic background is in engineering.
El departamento ofrece formación continua a sus empleados.
B2The department offers ongoing training to its employees.
formation
Also: shape, build
📝 In Action
Vimos una formación rocosa muy extraña en el desierto.
B2We saw a very strange rock formation in the desert.
Los soldados mantuvieron la formación en línea recta.
C1The soldiers maintained the formation in a straight line.
La formación de un nuevo gobierno puede tardar meses.
C1The formation of a new government can take months.
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: formación
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'formación' in the sense of 'structure' or 'shape'?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
The word comes directly from the Latin *formatiō*, which means 'a shaping' or 'a forming.' It is built on the Latin verb *formare* (to form or shape). This connection helps explain both the meaning of 'training' (shaping a person's knowledge) and 'structure' (the resulting shape).
First recorded: 15th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'formación' the same as 'carrera'?
'Formación' refers to the process of gaining skills or knowledge (training or education). 'Carrera' usually means a specific academic path (like a degree) or a professional career over time. You might complete a 'carrera' to get a 'formación'.
How can I tell if 'formación' means 'training' or 'shape'?
Look at the surrounding words. If you see 'académica,' 'profesional,' or 'curso,' it means training. If you see 'rocosa,' 'militar,' or 'nubes,' it means shape or structure.