operación
“operación” means “operation” in Spanish. It has 4 different meanings depending on context:
operation, surgery
Also: procedure
📝 In Action
Mi abuela necesita una operación de cadera la próxima semana.
A2My grandmother needs a hip operation next week.
La operación fue un éxito, y el paciente ya se está recuperando.
B1The surgery was a success, and the patient is already recovering.
transaction, business deal
Also: operation
📝 In Action
La operación de compra de acciones fue muy rentable.
B1The stock purchase transaction was very profitable.
Las operaciones de la empresa han mejorado mucho este año.
B2The company's operations (the way it runs things) have improved a lot this year.
military action, mission
Also: maneuver
📝 In Action
La policía preparó una operación secreta para atrapar al ladrón.
B2The police prepared a secret operation to catch the thief.
Esta operación militar requiere un equipo especial.
C1This military operation requires a special team.
calculation
Also: process
📝 In Action
La multiplicación es una operación básica.
C1Multiplication is a basic operation.
Tienes que resolver cinco operaciones en la pizarra.
B2You have to solve five calculations on the board.
Translate to Spanish
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: operación
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'operación' in the financial sense?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
The word comes directly from the Latin *operatio* (stem: *operation-*) meaning 'a working, a laboring, effect, execution,' which is based on the verb *operari* ('to work, to toil'). The Spanish word maintains this core idea of 'carrying out an action' in all its different meanings.
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
💡 Master Spanish
Take your Spanish to the next level. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories tailored to your level with the Inklingo app!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'operación' used for computer or machine functions?
Yes, absolutely! Just like in English, 'operación' can refer to the process or action a computer or machine performs. For example, 'El sistema completó la operación en segundos' (The system completed the operation in seconds).
Is there a difference between 'operación' and 'cirugía'?
While both refer to medical procedures, 'cirugía' specifically means surgery (the practice of treating injuries or diseases by manual or instrumental means). 'Operación' is the more common, general term for the procedure itself, even in a medical context, but it also has all the non-medical meanings (business, math, etc.).