Inklingo

How to Say "section" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “section” is “sección” — use this general term for a part of a whole like a book, document, or road, often found in newspapers or organized spaces.

secciónA2

Use this general term for a part of a whole like a book, document, or road, often found in newspapers or organized spaces.

Learn more →
departamento🔊B1

This refers to a specific administrative or functional division within a larger organization or company.

Learn more →
zona🔊B1

Use this for a specific geographical area, region, or a particular part of a larger whole, like a body part.

Learn more →
tramo🔊A2

This word describes a specific stretch or segment of a longer physical structure like a road, railway, or river.

Learn more →
apartado🔊B1

This is used for a specific section or clause within a written text, especially in legal documents or contracts.

Learn more →
ala🔊B1

This refers to a wing or an extension of a larger structure, such as a building or a complex.

Learn more →
brazo🔊B1

This term can describe an arm-like extension of a building, a river, or an organization.

Learn more →
segmento🔊B1

Use this for a distinct, often measurable, part of something, common in geometry or when dividing something into parts.

Learn more →
trozo🔊B1

This refers to a piece or fragment, often used for a part of a written work, a performance, or food.

Learn more →
párrafoA2

This specifically means a paragraph, typically referring to a distinct unit of text within a larger document or article.

Learn more →
English → Spanish

sección

nounA2General
Use this general term for a part of a whole like a book, document, or road, often found in newspapers or organized spaces.

Examples

Busquemos la información en la sección de deportes del periódico.

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

departamento

de-par-ta-MEN-todepaɾta'mento

NounB1Formal
This refers to a specific administrative or functional division within a larger organization or company.
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).

zona

SO-naˈsona

NounB1General
Use this for a specific geographical area, region, or a particular part of a larger whole, like a body part.
A simple storybook illustration of a human arm with the elbow section distinctly highlighted in a contrasting color, emphasizing that specific localized area.

Examples

Me duele la zona lumbar de la espalda.

The lumbar region of my back hurts.

El portero no puede tocar el balón fuera de su zona.

The goalkeeper can't touch the ball outside of his area.

Por favor, limpia la zona afectada con agua y jabón.

Please, clean the affected area with soap and water.

tramo

TRAH-mohˈtɾamo

nounA2General
This word describes a specific stretch or segment of a longer physical structure like a road, railway, or river.
A long, straight section of a paved road stretching through a green meadow.

Examples

Este tramo de la carretera tiene muchas curvas.

This stretch of the highway has many curves.

Estamos en el tramo final del viaje.

We are on the final leg of the trip.

Han cerrado un tramo del río por contaminación.

They have closed a section of the river due to pollution.

Using 'de' with tramo

To specify what kind of stretch you are talking about, just add 'de' followed by the object, like 'tramo de camino' (stretch of path).

Tramo vs. Camino

Mistake: “Using 'tramo' to mean the whole road.”

Correction: Use 'tramo' for a specific part of the road, and 'camino' or 'carretera' for the entire thing.

apartado

ah-par-TAH-dohapaɾˈtaðo

nounB1Formal
This is used for a specific section or clause within a written text, especially in legal documents or contracts.
A highlighted chapter or portion of a large open book.

Examples

Debes leer el apartado segundo del contrato antes de firmar.

You must read the second section of the contract before signing.

En este apartado, explicamos los resultados del estudio.

In this section, we explain the results of the study.

Mira el apartado de 'notas adicionales' al final.

Look at the 'additional notes' section at the end.

Use for Numbers

Spanish uses this word for points in a list (1, 2, 3) where English might just say 'point' or 'item'.

Apartado vs. Párrafo

Mistake: “Using 'apartado' for a standard block of text in a story.”

Correction: Use 'párrafo' for normal writing and 'apartado' for specific numbered sections in formal papers.

ala

ah-lahˈala

nounB1General
This refers to a wing or an extension of a larger structure, such as a building or a complex.
A simplified, colorful drawing of a large building with a clearly defined side section extending outwards, representing the wing of the structure.

Examples

Tuvimos que ir a la nueva ala de la biblioteca.

We had to go to the new wing of the library.

El hospital inauguró el ala de pediatría el mes pasado.

The hospital inaugurated the pediatrics wing last month.

brazo

BRAH-sohˈbɾaθo

nounB1General
This term can describe an arm-like extension of a building, a river, or an organization.
An overhead illustration showing a wide blue river dividing cleanly into two smaller branches or streams.

Examples

Este brazo del río es muy profundo.

This branch of the river is very deep.

El robot tiene un brazo mecánico para levantar objetos pesados.

The robot has a mechanical arm for lifting heavy objects.

El arquitecto diseñó un nuevo brazo para el edificio principal.

The architect designed a new wing (or section) for the main building.

segmento

seg-MEN-tohseɡˈmento

nounB1Technical/General
Use this for a distinct, often measurable, part of something, common in geometry or when dividing something into parts.
A single orange slice separated from the rest of the orange.

Examples

En la clase de geometría, dibujamos un segmento de cinco centímetros.

In geometry class, we drew a five-centimeter segment.

El cuerpo de algunos insectos está dividido en varios segmentos.

The body of some insects is divided into several segments.

Este segmento de la carretera está en muy mal estado.

This section of the highway is in very bad condition.

It's a regular 'O' noun

Since it ends in 'o', it is masculine ('el segmento') and follows the usual rule of adding an 's' for plural ('los segmentos').

Precision over Generalization

Use 'segmento' when you want to sound more precise or technical. If you are just talking about a 'piece' of bread or a 'part' of a movie in casual talk, 'trozo' or 'parte' are more common.

Segmento vs. Gajo

Mistake: “Using 'segmento' for a slice of an orange in a casual kitchen setting.”

Correction: Use 'gajo' for fruit slices. Use 'segmento' only if you are speaking in a scientific or botanical context.

trozo

TROH-sohˈtɾoso

nounB1General
This refers to a piece or fragment, often used for a part of a written work, a performance, or food.
A single, brightly colored rectangular panel, similar to a comic book frame, showing a simple character sitting under a large green tree.

Examples

Me encanta ese trozo de la canción.

I love that section of the song.

El profesor leyó un trozo del Quijote.

The professor read a passage from Don Quixote.

Solo recuerdo un pequeño trozo de nuestra conversación.

I only remember a small bit of our conversation.

párrafo

nounA2General
This specifically means a paragraph, typically referring to a distinct unit of text within a larger document or article.

Examples

El primer párrafo de la noticia es el más importante.

The first paragraph of the news story is the most important.

General vs. Specific Sections

Learners often confuse the general term 'sección' with more specific words like 'apartado' for legal texts or 'párrafo' for paragraphs. While 'sección' can sometimes be used broadly, it's best to use the more precise term when referring to specific parts of documents or laws.

Related Translations

Learn Spanish with Inklingo

Interactive stories, personalized learning, and more.