How to Say "hospital" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “hospital” is “hospital” — use 'hospital' when referring to the general institution providing medical and surgical treatment andรักษา patients, especially in a public or larger setting.
Use 'hospital' when referring to the general institution providing medical and surgical treatment andรักษา patients, especially in a public or larger setting.
Learn more →Choose 'clínica' for smaller, often private, medical facilities that may specialize in specific treatments or offer outpatient services.
Learn more →
Use 'hospitalario' only when you need to describe something as being related to or characteristic of a hospital institution, not as a place itself.
Learn more →os-pee-TALospiˈtal
Examples
Mi tío fue llevado al hospital anoche.
My uncle was taken to the hospital last night.
Mi abuela está en el hospital.
My grandmother is in the hospital.
¿Dónde está el hospital más cercano?
Where is the nearest hospital?
Tuvieron que llevarlo al hospital después del accidente.
They had to take him to the hospital after the accident.
It's a Masculine Noun: 'El Hospital'
Even though it doesn't end in -o, 'hospital' is a masculine word. Always say 'el hospital' (the hospital) or 'un hospital' (a hospital).
Going 'To The' Hospital: Use 'al'
When you say you're going 'to the hospital,' the words 'a' (to) and 'el' (the) combine to make 'al'. For example: 'Voy al hospital' (I'm going to the hospital).
Word Gender
Mistake: “Fui a la hospital.”
Correction: Fui al hospital. Remember that 'hospital' is a masculine noun.
Pronunciation Stress
Mistake: “Stressing it like English: HOS-pi-tal.”
Correction: In Spanish, the stress is on the last syllable: os-pi-TAL. Try saying it with the emphasis at the end.
clínica
Examples
Me hice un chequeo en la clínica privada.
I had a check-up at the private clinic.
os-pee-tah-LAH-ryohospitaˈlaɾjo
Examples
El personal hospitalario es muy profesional.
The hospital staff is very professional.
El centro hospitalario está a diez minutos de aquí.
The hospital center is ten minutes from here.
El personal hospitalario trabaja turnos muy largos.
The hospital staff works very long shifts.
Se requieren mejores servicios hospitalarios en las zonas rurales.
Better hospital services are required in rural areas.
Noun-Adjective Order
When this word means 'hospital-related,' it always comes after the noun it describes, like 'centro hospitalario' (hospital center).
Using 'Hospital' as an Adjective
Mistake: “Saying 'personal hospital' to mean hospital staff.”
Correction: In Spanish, the noun 'hospital' cannot be used to describe another noun. You must use the adjective 'hospitalario' instead: 'personal hospitalario'.
Noun vs. Adjective Confusion
Learners often mistakenly use 'hospitalario' as a noun to mean 'hospital.' Remember that 'hospitalario' is an adjective meaning 'related to a hospital,' while 'hospital' and 'clínica' are the nouns for the actual place.
Related Translations
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