Inklingo

How to Say "plant" in Spanish

English → Spanish

fábrica

nounA1
Use 'fábrica' when referring to a specific building or complex where goods are manufactured or produced.

Examples

Mi tío trabaja en una fábrica de coches muy grande.

My uncle works in a very large car factory.

planta

PLAN-tah/ˈplan.ta/

nounA1
Use 'planta' when referring to a living organism, such as a flower, herb, or tree, or vegetation in general.
A vibrant green potted houseplant with large, simple leaves resting on a surface.

Examples

Mi abuela tiene muchas plantas medicinales en su patio.

My grandmother has many medicinal plants in her yard.

Necesitas regar la planta una vez a la semana.

You need to water the plant once a week.

Gender Reminder

Even though 'planta' ends in -a, remember it is a feminine noun, so you always use 'la' or 'una' with it.

instalaciones

in-stah-lah-SYOH-nes/instalaˈsjones/

nounB1
Use 'instalaciones' to refer to the physical buildings and infrastructure of a place, especially a large or complex one like a factory or hospital.
A simple, colorful illustration depicting a small, functional facility, showing a main building structure connected to large, clearly visible pipes and storage tanks.

Examples

Las instalaciones del hospital son de primera clase.

The hospital facilities are first-class.

Necesitamos revisar las instalaciones eléctricas antes de abrir la tienda.

We need to check the electrical installations (system) before opening the store.

El club deportivo tiene muy buenas instalaciones para nadar.

The sports club has very good swimming facilities.

Always Plural

Even when you mean 'a facility' in English, Spanish usually uses the plural form 'instalaciones' to refer to the whole setup or complex.

Using the Singular

Mistake: “La instalación del hotel es grande.”

Correction: Las instalaciones del hotel son grandes. (Use the plural when referring to the physical space or amenities.)

Factory vs. Vegetation

The most common mistake is using 'planta' for a factory. Remember that 'planta' primarily refers to living vegetation. For a place where things are made, 'fábrica' is the correct term.

Related Translations

Learn Spanish with Inklingo

Interactive stories, personalized learning, and more.