Inklingo

How to Say "surgery" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “surgery” is “operación” — use 'operación' when referring to a specific medical procedure performed on a patient, especially a common or well-known one like a hip replacement.

operaciónA2

Use 'operación' when referring to a specific medical procedure performed on a patient, especially a common or well-known one like a hip replacement.

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cirugíaB1

Use 'cirugía' to refer to the medical field of surgery in general, or a specific medical operation when emphasizing the technical or professional aspect.

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intervenciónB1

Use 'intervención' for a medical procedure, often implying a less common or more complex operation, or when focusing on the act of intervening medically.

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consultorio🔊A2

Use 'consultorio' to mean a doctor's office or clinic, particularly in British English contexts, where patients have appointments.

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gabinete🔊B1

Use 'gabinete' to refer to a doctor's or dentist's private room or office where they see patients, common in UK English.

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English → Spanish

operación

nounA2general
Use 'operación' when referring to a specific medical procedure performed on a patient, especially a common or well-known one like a hip replacement.

Examples

Mi abuela necesita una operación de cadera la próxima semana.

My grandmother needs a hip operation next week.

cirugía

nounB1medical
Use 'cirugía' to refer to the medical field of surgery in general, or a specific medical operation when emphasizing the technical or professional aspect.

Examples

El médico decidió que el paciente necesitaba una cirugía urgente.

The doctor decided that the patient needed urgent surgery.

intervención

nounB1medical
Use 'intervención' for a medical procedure, often implying a less common or more complex operation, or when focusing on the act of intervening medically.

Examples

La intervención duró tres horas pero todo salió bien.

The surgery lasted three hours but everything went well.

consultorio

con-sool-TOH-ryohkon.sul.ˈto.ɾjo

nounA2general
Use 'consultorio' to mean a doctor's office or clinic, particularly in British English contexts, where patients have appointments.
A bright and clean doctor's office with a stethoscope on a desk and an examination table.

Examples

Tengo una cita en el consultorio a las diez.

I have an appointment at the doctor's office at ten.

El consultorio del dentista es muy moderno.

The dentist's office is very modern.

Esperé media hora en la sala del consultorio.

I waited for half an hour in the office waiting room.

Office vs. Consultorio

While 'oficina' means office, Spanish speakers specifically use 'consultorio' for medical or professional consulting rooms. Avoid using 'oficina' for your doctor!

Gender agreement

Since 'consultorio' ends in 'o', it is masculine. Always use 'el' or 'un' with it.

Using 'oficina' for medical visits

Mistake: “Voy a la oficina del médico.”

Correction: Voy al consultorio del médico. (In Spanish, 'oficina' is usually for administrative or business work, not medical care.)

gabinete

gah-bee-neh-tehɡaβiˈnete

nounB1general
Use 'gabinete' to refer to a doctor's or dentist's private room or office where they see patients, common in UK English.
A clean, professional dentist's office with a reclining chair and medical equipment.

Examples

El dentista me espera en su gabinete.

The dentist is waiting for me in his office.

Tiene un gabinete de prensa muy eficiente.

He has a very efficient press office.

Professional Space

Use 'gabinete' instead of 'oficina' when talking about a specialized room where a professional (like a doctor or researcher) works.

Procedure vs. Place

The most common mistake is confusing the Spanish words for the medical procedure ('operación', 'cirugía', 'intervención') with those for a doctor's office ('consultorio', 'gabinete'). Remember that 'operación' and 'cirugía' refer to the act of operating, while 'consultorio' and 'gabinete' refer to the location.

Related Translations

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