Inklingo

How to Say "department" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “department” is “departamento” — use this for a division within a company, university, or store, or for a major administrative division of a country.

departamento🔊B1/B2

Use this for a division within a company, university, or store, or for a major administrative division of a country.

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áreaB1

Use this for a functional division or section within a business or university, similar to 'department' or 'field'.

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secciónA2

Use this for a specific part or section within a larger entity like a store, office, or publication.

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facultad🔊A2

This specifically refers to an academic division within a university, often translated as 'faculty' or 'school'.

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ministerio🔊A2

Use this word only for a government department, especially one headed by a minister.

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dependencia🔊B2

This term refers to a branch or an annex, often a separate building or room used for a specific purpose, like staff quarters.

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English → Spanish

departamento

de-par-ta-MEN-todepaɾta'mento

nounB1/B2general
Use this for a division within a company, university, or store, or for a major administrative division of a country.
Three distinct, color-coded sections within a large open-plan office, separated by low dividers, representing different departments.

Examples

Mi hermano trabaja en el departamento de ingeniería de la universidad.

My brother works in the engineering department at the university.

Trabajo en el departamento de marketing.

I work in the marketing department.

Si tienes una pregunta, llama al departamento de servicio al cliente.

If you have a question, call the customer service department.

La universidad tiene un excelente departamento de historia.

The university has an excellent history department.

Connecting with 'de'

To say what kind of department it is, you connect it with the word 'de'. For example, 'departamento de ventas' (department of sales) or 'departamento de historia' (department of history).

área

nounB1general
Use this for a functional division or section within a business or university, similar to 'department' or 'field'.

Examples

Ella es la jefa del área de recursos humanos.

She is the head of the human resources department/area.

sección

nounA2general
Use this for a specific part or section within a larger entity like a store, office, or publication.

Examples

La tienda tiene una sección dedicada a la ropa deportiva.

The store has a section dedicated to sportswear.

facultad

fah-kool-TAHDfa.kulˈtað

nounA2academic
This specifically refers to an academic division within a university, often translated as 'faculty' or 'school'.
A stylized illustration of the grand entrance to a university building with columns, representing a university division.

Examples

Estudiaremos química en la Facultad de Ciencias.

We will study chemistry in the Faculty of Sciences.

Mi hermana estudia ingeniería en la Facultad de Ciencias.

My sister studies engineering at the Faculty of Sciences.

La reunión será en la facultad a las diez de la mañana.

The meeting will be at the school (department building) at ten in the morning.

Always Feminine

Even though many Spanish nouns ending in -d are masculine, 'facultad' is always feminine. Remember to use 'la' or 'una'.

Mixing up 'Facultad' and 'Profesorado'

Mistake: “Using 'facultad' to mean the group of teachers.”

Correction: Use 'el profesorado' or 'el cuerpo docente' for the staff/teachers, and 'la facultad' for the building or division.

ministerio

mee-nees-TEH-ryohminisˈteɾjo

nounA2government
Use this word only for a government department, especially one headed by a minister.
A large, imposing, official government building with pillars and a national flag flying above the entrance.

Examples

El Ministerio de Educación publicó nuevas directrices.

The Ministry of Education issued new guidelines.

El Ministerio de Sanidad anunció nuevas regulaciones.

The Ministry of Health announced new regulations.

Trabajamos en el ministerio que se encarga de la educación pública.

We work in the department that is in charge of public education.

La reunión se llevó a cabo en la sede del ministerio.

The meeting was held at the ministry's headquarters.

Masculine Noun

Remember that 'ministerio' is always a masculine noun, so you must use 'el' or 'un' before it.

Gender Confusion

Mistake: “La ministerio”

Correction: El ministerio. Even though many words ending in '-ia' are feminine, this one is masculine.

dependencia

deh-pehn-DEN-syahdepenˈdenθja

nounB2formal/specific
This term refers to a branch or an annex, often a separate building or room used for a specific purpose, like staff quarters.
A professional service counter in a large building lobby where a person is waiting to help visitors.

Examples

La finca tiene varias dependencias para los trabajadores.

The estate has several outbuildings/quarters for the workers.

Esta casa tiene varias dependencias para el servicio.

This house has several rooms/outbuildings for the staff.

Tiene que ir a una dependencia municipal para renovar el carnet.

You have to go to a municipal office to renew your ID card.

Limpiaron todas las dependencias del palacio.

They cleaned all the rooms and sections of the palace.

Often plural

When referring to parts of a building or house, we almost always use the plural form: 'las dependencias'.

Don't confuse with 'apartamento'

Mistake: “Vivo en una dependencia pequeña.”

Correction: Vivo en un apartamento pequeño.

Departamentos vs. Facultades and Ministerios

Learners often confuse 'departamento' with 'facultad' and 'ministerio'. Remember that 'facultad' is strictly for university academic divisions, and 'ministerio' is exclusively for government ministries. 'Departamento' is much broader and can apply to companies or even countries.

Related Translations

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