Inklingo

How to Say "operation" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “operation” is “operación” — use this word for general medical surgeries and for the process or running of a system, like a business transaction..

operaciónA2

Use this word for general medical surgeries and for the process or running of a system, like a business transaction.

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funcionamiento🔊B1

Use this when describing how a machine, system, or application works in general terms.

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cirugíaB1

This specifically refers to a medical operation or surgical procedure.

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intervenciónB1

Use this in a medical context to refer to a surgical procedure, often implying a more complex or significant one.

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marcha🔊B1

Use this to indicate that a system, project, or plan is active, running, or underway.

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campaña🔊B2

This refers to a planned series of actions, most commonly a military operation or a marketing campaign.

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procedimiento🔊B2

This refers to a specific, often formal or official, course of action, especially a medical or legal process.

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funciónA2

Use this to describe the specific purpose or job that something, like a button or a device, performs.

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English → Spanish

operación

nounA2general
Use this word for general medical surgeries and for the process or running of a system, like a business transaction.

Examples

Mi abuela necesita una operación de cadera la próxima semana.

My grandmother needs a hip operation next week.

funcionamiento

/foon-syon-ah-MYEN-toh//funsjo.naˈmjento/

nounB1general
Use this when describing how a machine, system, or application works in general terms.
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
This specifically refers to a medical operation or surgical procedure.

Examples

El médico decidió que el paciente necesitaba una cirugía urgente.

The doctor decided that the patient needed urgent surgery.

intervención

nounB1medical
Use this in a medical context to refer to a surgical procedure, often implying a more complex or significant one.

Examples

La intervención duró tres horas pero todo salió bien.

The surgery lasted three hours but everything went well.

marcha

MAR-chah/ˈmartʃa/

nounB1general
Use this to indicate that a system, project, or plan is active, running, or underway.
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, business
This refers to a planned series of actions, most commonly a military operation or a marketing campaign.

Examples

La campaña militar de Napoleón en Rusia fue desastrosa.

Napoleon's military campaign in Russia was disastrous.

procedimiento

proh-seh-dee-myén-toh/pɾo.θe.ðiˈmjen.to/

nounB2formal, legal, medical
This refers to a specific, often formal or official, course of action, especially a medical or legal process.
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.

función

nounA2general
Use this to describe the specific purpose or job that something, like a button or a device, performs.

Examples

La función principal de este botón es encender la máquina.

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

Medical vs. General 'Operation'

Learners often confuse 'operación', 'cirugía', and 'intervención'. Remember that 'operación' can be general (like a business transaction) or medical, while 'cirugía' and 'intervención' are almost exclusively used for medical procedures. 'Intervención' often implies a more significant or complex surgery.

Related Translations

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