Inklingo

How to Say "operation" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word foroperationis operaciónuse this for general medical surgery, or for a process or transaction, like a business deal or a computer process.

operaciónA2

Use this for general medical surgery, or for a process or transaction, like a business deal or a computer process.

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funcionamiento🔊B1

This refers to the way a machine, system, or process works or operates, focusing on its functionality.

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cirugíaB1

Use this specifically for a medical procedure that involves cutting into the body to repair or remove something.

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intervenciónB1

This is another term for a medical operation, often implying a more complex or significant procedure.

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explotaciónB1

This refers to the operation of a business, resource, or site, often implying extraction or management of assets.

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maniobra🔊B1

Use this for a specific, often skillful, movement or action, especially in driving, military, or technical contexts.

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marcha🔊B1

This term indicates that a system, project, or plan is in progress or has started operating.

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campaña🔊B2

This specifically refers to a military operation or a large-scale organized effort, like a marketing or political campaign.

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operativo🔊B2

Use this for a specific, often large-scale, planned action or task force, particularly in a police or military context.

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procedimiento🔊B2

This refers to a formal series of actions or steps, often used in legal or medical contexts, similar to 'procedure'.

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manipulaciónB1

This refers to the handling or treatment of something, especially with the hands, like food or materials.

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funciónA2

This refers to the basic purpose or job of something, particularly a machine or a part of it.

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English → Spanish

operación

nounA2general
Use this for general medical surgery, or for a process or transaction, like a business deal or a computer process.

Examples

Mi abuela necesita una operación de cadera la próxima semana.

My grandmother needs a hip operation next week.

funcionamiento

foon-syon-ah-MYEN-tohfunsjo.naˈmjento

nounB1general
This refers to the way a machine, system, or process works or operates, focusing on its functionality.
A colorful illustration of large interlocking gears turning together smoothly inside a machine.

Examples

El funcionamiento de la aplicación es muy intuitivo.

The operation of the app is very intuitive.

Debemos revisar el buen funcionamiento del motor.

We must check that the engine is working properly.

Pusieron el nuevo plan en funcionamiento ayer.

They put the new plan into operation yesterday.

Making Nouns from Verbs

This word is the 'thing' version of the verb 'funcionar' (to work/function). By adding the ending '-miento,' we turn the action into a name for the process itself.

Working vs. Functioning

Mistake:Using 'trabajamiento' to talk about a machine.

Correction: Use 'funcionamiento.' In Spanish, 'trabajo' is for people's jobs, while 'funcionamiento' is for how things or systems operate.

cirugía

nounB1medical
Use this specifically for a medical procedure that involves cutting into the body to repair or remove something.

Examples

El médico decidió que el paciente necesitaba una cirugía urgente.

The doctor decided that the patient needed urgent surgery.

intervención

nounB1medical
This is another term for a medical operation, often implying a more complex or significant procedure.

Examples

La intervención duró tres horas pero todo salió bien.

The surgery lasted three hours but everything went well.

explotación

nounB1business/resources
This refers to the operation of a business, resource, or site, often implying extraction or management of assets.

Examples

La explotación de petróleo en esta zona es muy costosa.

The oil extraction in this area is very expensive.

maniobra

mah-nyoh-brahmaˈnjo.βɾa

nounB1technical/military
Use this for a specific, often skillful, movement or action, especially in driving, military, or technical contexts.
A small blue car carefully steering through a series of bright orange traffic cones on a gray road.

Examples

El conductor hizo una maniobra brusca para evitar el accidente.

The driver made a sudden maneuver to avoid the accident.

El barco realizó una maniobra de atraque perfecta.

The ship performed a perfect docking maneuver.

Es importante conocer la maniobra de Heimlich en caso de emergencia.

It is important to know the Heimlich maneuver in case of an emergency.

Always Feminine

Even though it involves 'obra' (work), 'maniobra' is always a feminine noun. You must use 'la' or 'una' with it.

Describing the Move

Adjectives like 'peligrosa' (dangerous) or 'rápida' (fast) usually follow the word 'maniobra' to describe what kind of move was made.

Gender Error

Mistake:El maniobra fue difícil.

Correction: La maniobra fue difícil. (Nouns ending in 'a' are usually feminine in Spanish).

marcha

MAR-chahˈmartʃa

nounB1general
This term indicates that a system, project, or plan is in progress or has started operating.
An illustration showing a simple, functioning assembly line where a box is smoothly moving along a conveyor belt, representing an operation.

Examples

El plan de construcción ya está en marcha.

The construction plan is already underway/operational.

Necesitamos garantizar la buena marcha del negocio.

We need to guarantee the smooth running/operation of the business.

nounB2military/organized effort
This specifically refers to a military operation or a large-scale organized effort, like a marketing or political campaign.

Examples

La campaña militar de Napoleón en Rusia fue desastrosa.

Napoleon's military campaign in Russia was disastrous.

operativo

oh-peh-rah-TEE-bohopeɾaˈtiβo

nounB2police/military
Use this for a specific, often large-scale, planned action or task force, particularly in a police or military context.
A group of rescue workers in orange vests standing together around a map on a table.

Examples

El operativo policial detuvo a los sospechosos.

The police operation arrested the suspects.

Hubo un gran operativo de limpieza tras el concierto.

There was a massive cleaning effort after the concert.

El gobierno lanzó un operativo de rescate en la montaña.

The government launched a rescue operation in the mountains.

Always Masculine

When used as a noun meaning 'an operation/effort,' it is always masculine: 'el operativo' or 'un operativo'.

Operation vs. Operativo

Mistake:Don't use 'operativo' for math or medical surgeries.

Correction: Use 'operación' for '2+2' or 'heart surgery'. Use 'operativo' for a coordinated group action like a search party.

procedimiento

proh-seh-dee-myén-tohpɾo.θe.ðiˈmjen.to

nounB2legal/medical/formal
This refers to a formal series of actions or steps, often used in legal or medical contexts, similar to 'procedure'.
A storybook illustration showing a wooden gavel next to a small stack of papers tied with a red ribbon, symbolizing a legal proceeding.

Examples

El juez suspendió el procedimiento hasta la próxima semana.

The judge suspended the proceeding until next week.

El doctor explicó el procedimiento quirúrgico antes de la cirugía.

The doctor explained the surgical operation before the surgery.

Official Language

When used in formal settings, 'procedimiento' often pairs with adjectives like 'administrativo' (administrative) or 'disciplinario' (disciplinary) to specify the type of official action being taken.

manipulación

nounB1general/hygiene
This refers to the handling or treatment of something, especially with the hands, like food or materials.

Examples

La higiene en la manipulación de alimentos es vital.

Hygiene in food handling is vital.

función

nounA2general
This refers to the basic purpose or job of something, particularly a machine or a part of it.

Examples

La función principal de este botón es encender la máquina.

The main function of this button is to turn on the machine.

Operation vs. Functionality

Learners often confuse 'operación' and 'funcionamiento'. Remember, 'operación' can mean surgery or a transaction, while 'funcionamiento' strictly refers to how something works or runs. Think of 'operation' as an event or action, and 'funcionamiento' as the state of being operational.

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