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How to Say "to house" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “to house” is “albergar” — use 'albergar' when referring to providing space or accommodation for people, animals, or abstract things like ideas or collections..

English → Spanish

albergar

ahl-behr-GAHR/albeɾˈɡaɾ/

verbB1general
Use 'albergar' when referring to providing space or accommodation for people, animals, or abstract things like ideas or collections.
A cozy stone cottage with a warm yellow light glowing in the window, nestled among green hills.

Examples

La ciudad albergará la próxima cumbre internacional.

The city will host the next international summit.

El museo alberga una colección increíble de arte moderno.

The museum houses an incredible collection of modern art.

Esta ciudad albergará los próximos Juegos Olímpicos.

This city will host the next Olympic Games.

El edificio puede albergar a más de quinientas personas.

The building can accommodate more than five hundred people.

The 'gu' Spelling Switch

When the ending of the verb starts with an 'e' (like in the past 'yo' form 'albergué'), you must add a 'u' to keep the 'g' sounding hard, like the 'g' in 'game'.

Spelling in the Past

Mistake: “Yo albergé.”

Correction: Yo albergué. Without the 'u', the 'g' would sound like an 'h' (al-ber-HEY).

refugiar

/reh-foo-HYAHR//refuˈxjaɾ/

verbB1general
Use 'refugiar' when the primary meaning is to give shelter or protection, especially to something vulnerable or valuable, like people, animals, or important documents from danger or harsh conditions.
A kind person holding a large umbrella over a small, shivering kitten in the rain.

Examples

Necesitamos refugiar los documentos importantes de la lluvia.

We need to shelter the important documents from the rain.

El centro decidió refugiar a los perros abandonados durante el invierno.

The center decided to shelter the abandoned dogs during the winter.

Muchos países aceptaron refugiar a las familias que huían del conflicto.

Many countries agreed to give refuge to the families fleeing the conflict.

Este museo se encarga de refugiar obras de arte en peligro.

This museum is in charge of housing artworks in danger.

Providing vs. Seeking Shelter

On its own, 'refugiar' means you are the one giving shelter to someone else. If you want to say you are finding shelter for yourself, you must add 'se' (refugiarse).

Using 'esconder' instead

Mistake: “Usé el paraguas para esconder a mi perro de la lluvia.”

Correction: Usé el paraguas para refugiar a mi perro de la lluvia.

alojar

/ah-loh-HAR//a.loˈxaɾ/

verbB2technical
Use 'alojar' primarily when talking about accommodating something within a system or structure, especially in a technical or digital context, like hosting a website or containing a specific part.
A glowing, futuristic metal box with blue lights representing a computer server, sitting on a simple pedestal.

Examples

Este disco duro puede alojar gigabytes de datos.

This hard drive can accommodate gigabytes of data.

Necesitamos un servidor para alojar nuestra página web.

We need a server to host our website.

Esta carpeta aloja todos los archivos del proyecto.

This folder houses all the project files.

La estructura de hierro aloja el motor del vehículo.

The iron structure houses the vehicle's engine.

Technical Usage

In technology, 'alojar' works just like 'to host' in English. It describes the physical server or folder where digital things live.

Confusing Shelter vs. Accommodation

Learners often confuse 'albergar' and 'refugiar' because both can imply providing space. Remember that 'refugiar' specifically highlights protection from harm or elements, while 'albergar' is more general about holding or containing.

Related Translations

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