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How to Say "division" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “division” is “departamento” — use this word for a large, distinct unit or section within a larger organization, like a company or university..

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departamento

/de-par-ta-MEN-to//depaɾta'mento/

NounB1General
Use this word for a large, distinct unit or section within a larger organization, like a company or university.
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.

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).

sección

NounA2General
This word refers to a specific, often smaller, part or area within a larger whole, such as a section of a newspaper, a store, or a document.

Examples

Busquemos la información en la sección de deportes del periódico.

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

grupo

/GROO-poh//ˈɡɾupo/

NounB1General
Use 'grupo' when referring to a collection of people or things working together or forming a unit within a larger structure, like a project team.
A collection of colorful geometric shapes (squares, circles, and triangles) neatly separated into three distinct, organized clusters on a white background, representing classification or category.

Examples

La empresa se divide en varios grupos de trabajo.

The company is divided into several working groups.

Este es el grupo sanguíneo más raro.

This is the rarest blood group/type.

El profesor dividió la clase en dos grupos para el debate.

The teacher divided the class into two groups for the debate.

rama

RAH-mah/ˈra.ma/

NounB1General
This term is used for a specialized field, discipline, or branch that stems from a larger area of study or activity, like a branch of science.
A colorful illustration showing a thick main element splitting into three distinct, separate paths, symbolizing a division or subdivision.

Examples

La botánica es una rama de la biología.

Botany is a branch of biology.

Mi tío trabaja en una rama del gobierno en el extranjero.

My uncle works in a branch of the government abroad.

Esta rama de la familia es originaria de Argentina.

This branch of the family is originally from Argentina.

Using 'Branch' for Bank

Mistake: “Using 'rama' when talking about a bank location (e.g., 'rama del banco').”

Correction: For a physical location of a business or bank, use 'sucursal' (e.g., 'la sucursal del banco'). 'Rama' is for abstract divisions.

votación

NounB2Formal
This word specifically refers to the act or process of voting, especially in a formal setting like a parliament or a formal meeting.

Examples

La votación para elegir al nuevo director comenzará a las diez.

The vote to elect the new director will start at ten o'clock.

Company Divisions vs. Sections

Learners often confuse 'departamento' and 'sección'. Remember that 'departamento' usually implies a larger, more established unit within a company, while 'sección' can be a smaller part or a specific area within a larger context, like a newspaper section.

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