Inklingo

How to Say "department" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “department” is “departamento” — use 'departamento' for a major division within a company, university, or store, or for an administrative region of a country like a state or province..

departamento🔊B1

Use 'departamento' for a major division within a company, university, or store, or for an administrative region of a country like a state or province.

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áreaB1

Use 'área' to refer to a specific functional unit or zone within a business or university, often interchangeable with 'departamento' but sometimes more general.

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secciónA2

Use 'sección' for a smaller, distinct part or section within a larger entity, such as a section of a newspaper, a store, or an office.

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facultad🔊A2

Use 'facultad' specifically for an academic division within a university, such as a Faculty of Arts or Faculty of Sciences.

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ministerio🔊A2

Use 'ministerio' exclusively for a government department or ministry, typically one of the main branches of the executive branch of a national government.

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English → Spanish

departamento

/de-par-ta-MEN-to//depaɾta'mento/

nounB1general
Use 'departamento' for a major division within a company, university, or store, or for an administrative region of a country like a state or province.
Three distinct, color-coded sections within a large open-plan office, separated by low dividers, representing different departments.

Examples

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.

Colombia está dividida en 32 departamentos.

Colombia is divided into 32 departments.

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 'área' to refer to a specific functional unit or zone within a business or university, often interchangeable with 'departamento' but sometimes more general.

Examples

Ella trabaja en el área de recursos humanos.

She works in the Human Resources department/area.

sección

nounA2general
Use 'sección' for a smaller, distinct part or section within a larger entity, such as a section of a newspaper, a store, or an office.

Examples

Busquemos la información en la sección de deportes del periódico.

Let's look for the information in the sports section of the newspaper.

facultad

fah-kool-TAHD/fa.kulˈtað/

nounA2academic
Use 'facultad' specifically for an academic division within a university, such as a Faculty of Arts or Faculty of Sciences.
A stylized illustration of the grand entrance to a university building with columns, representing a university division.

Examples

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-ryoh//minisˈteɾjo/

nounA2governmental
Use 'ministerio' exclusively for a government department or ministry, typically one of the main branches of the executive branch of a national government.
A large, imposing, official government building with pillars and a national flag flying above the entrance.

Examples

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.

Distinguishing 'Departamento' and 'Área'

The most common confusion is between 'departamento' and 'área' in a business or university context. While 'departamento' often implies a larger, more formal division, 'área' can be used more broadly for a functional zone or a slightly less defined unit. When in doubt, 'departamento' is usually a safe bet for a formal division.

Related Translations

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