Inklingo

How to Say "seminar" in Spanish

English → Spanish

taller

/tah-YER//taˈʎeɾ/

nounB1general
Use 'taller' for a focused, practical instructional meeting or workshop, often hands-on, where participants actively learn a skill.
Three adults sitting around a table focused on learning a practical skill. An instructor is demonstrating how to mold clay while the two students watch intently.

Examples

Tomamos un taller de fotografía digital el sábado pasado.

We took a digital photography workshop last Saturday.

La universidad ofrece un taller intensivo de idiomas.

The university offers an intensive language course.

El taller de cocina fue muy popular, aprendimos a hacer paella.

The cooking workshop was very popular; we learned how to make paella.

The 'De' Connection

When talking about educational workshops, you almost always use the preposition 'de' (of/about) to specify the topic: 'un taller de pintura' (a painting workshop).

Confusing the two meanings

Mistake: “Fui a un taller mecánico para aprender a arreglar mi bici.”

Correction: This is ambiguous. If you went to learn, say 'Fui a un taller para ciclistas'. If you went for a repair, say 'Fui al taller mecánico'. Context is key!

clínica

/KLEE-nee-kah//ˈkli.ni.ka/

nounB2general
Opt for 'clínica' when referring to an intensive, specialized learning session, often led by an expert, focusing on advanced techniques or problem-solving.
An illustration showing a friendly coach demonstrating a technique with a basketball to two attentive young students on a gymnasium court.

Examples

El famoso chef ofrecerá una clínica de cocina molecular este sábado.

The famous chef will offer a molecular cooking clinic this Saturday.

Asistí a una clínica de guitarra para aprender nuevas técnicas de jazz.

I attended a guitar workshop to learn new jazz techniques.

The Academic Sense

This meaning is a direct borrowing from the English use of 'clinic' to mean a specialized, hands-on instruction session, often used in arts or sports.

Taller vs. Clínica

Learners often confuse 'taller' and 'clínica' because both involve learning. Remember that 'taller' is usually more general and hands-on, while 'clínica' implies a more intensive, expert-led, specialized session.

Related Translations

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