pabellón
“pabellón” means “sports hall” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
sports hall, pavilion
Also: indoor court, hall
📝 In Action
El partido de baloncesto se juega en el pabellón municipal.
A2The basketball game is played in the local sports hall.
Visitamos el pabellón de Japón en la feria internacional.
B1We visited the Japan pavilion at the international fair.
Hay mucha gente esperando fuera del pabellón.
A2There are many people waiting outside the indoor arena.
ward, flag
Also: wing, canopy
📝 In Action
Mi abuelo está ingresado en el pabellón de cardiología.
B2My grandfather is admitted to the cardiology ward.
El barco navegaba bajo el pabellón español.
C1The ship was sailing under the Spanish flag.
El nuevo pabellón psiquiátrico es muy moderno.
B2The new psychiatric wing is very modern.
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✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: pabellón
Question 1 of 3
If you are going to see a basketball game, where are you most likely heading?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
From the Old French word 'paveillon' (tent), which comes from the Latin word 'papilio,' meaning 'butterfly.' This is because the flaps of a large tent were thought to look like butterfly wings.
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does 'pabellón' always mean a building?
No. While it usually refers to a building (like a sports hall or hospital wing), it can also mean a national flag in formal contexts, or even the outer part of your ear (pabellón auditivo)!
What is the difference between 'pabellón' and 'gimnasio'?
A 'gimnasio' is usually a place where you go to work out or lift weights. A 'pabellón' is a larger building used for team sports events with seating for spectators.
Is 'pabellón' used for residential buildings?
Not usually. It is reserved for large, functional buildings like those at trade fairs, hospitals, or military barracks.