operación
/oh-peh-rah-syohn/
operation
Operación referring to a medical surgery.
📝 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.
💡 Grammar Points
Gender and Articles
Since 'operación' is always feminine, you must use the feminine article 'la' or 'una' before it.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using the wrong verb
Mistake: "Hacer una operación (To make an operation)"
Correction: Decir 'someterse a una operación' (to undergo an operation) or 'realizar una operación' (to perform an operation) is more natural.
⭐ Usage Tips
Operation vs. Surgery
While 'cirugía' specifically means surgery, 'operación' is often used as the general, everyday word for a medical procedure.
Operación referring to a financial transaction or trade.
operación(noun)
transaction
?finance, trade
,business deal
?commerce
operation
?process, running a system
📝 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.
💡 Grammar Points
Plural Use
When talking about how a business functions generally, you almost always use the plural form: 'Las operaciones de la compañía.'
⭐ Usage Tips
Operational Focus
This meaning refers to the act of carrying out steps, not necessarily the result. Think of it as 'the process of doing something.'
Operación referring to a planned military mission or action.
📝 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.
⭐ Usage Tips
Context Clues
If you hear 'operación' used with words like 'ejército' (army) or 'policía' (police), it almost certainly means a coordinated mission or action.
Operación referring to a mathematical calculation.
📝 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.
⭐ Usage Tips
Specific Vocabulary
In math class, this word specifically refers to addition, subtraction, division, and multiplication—the fundamental processes of arithmetic.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: operación
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'operación' in the financial sense?
📚 More Resources
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.).