How to Say "to lodge" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “to lodge” is “acomodar” — use 'acomodar' when you are helping someone find a place to sit or stay, often in a social or service context.
Use 'acomodar' when you are helping someone find a place to sit or stay, often in a social or service context.
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Use 'alojar' when a place, like a hotel or building, is capable of housing or providing temporary residence for a number of people.
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Use 'hospedar' when you are personally offering or providing accommodation to someone, often in your own home or as a host.
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Use 'ranchar' specifically for soldiers or groups staying and eating together in a temporary camp or basic shelter.
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Use 'interponer' in a formal legal or administrative context to mean filing a complaint, objection, or lawsuit.
Learn more →ah-koh-moh-darakomoˈðar
Examples
El hotel nos acomodó en una habitación con vistas al mar.
The hotel accommodated us in a room with a sea view.
El camarero nos acomodó en una mesa cerca de la ventana.
The waiter seated us at a table near the window.
Acomodaron a los invitados en las primeras filas.
They seated the guests in the front rows.
Podemos acomodar a tu primo en el sofá cama.
We can put your cousin up on the sofa bed.
The Personal 'a'
Since this meaning involves people, remember to use the word 'a' after the verb: 'Acomodé a María'.
ah-loh-HARa.loˈxaɾ
Examples
Este hostal puede alojar a treinta huéspedes.
This hostel can lodge thirty guests.
Este hotel puede alojar a quinientos turistas.
This hotel can host five hundred tourists.
Mis tíos nos van a alojar en su casa durante el viaje.
My aunt and uncle are going to host us in their house during the trip.
El estadio se usó para alojar a los evacuados.
The stadium was used to accommodate the evacuees.
The Personal 'a'
Since 'alojar' usually involves people, remember to put 'a' before the person you are hosting. For example: 'Voy a alojar a mi hermana'.
Reflexive vs. Direct
Use 'alojar' when you provide a room for others, but use 'alojarse' (with words like 'me' or 'se') when you are the one staying at a hotel.
Mistaking 'Alojar' for 'Staying'
Mistake: “Alojo en el hotel Marriott.”
Correction: Me alojo en el hotel Marriott. Use the reflexive form when you are the guest.
oh-speh-dahrospeˈðar
Examples
Nos hospedaron gratis durante nuestra visita.
They hosted us for free during our visit.
Mi tía nos va a hospedar en su casa durante el festival.
My aunt is going to host us in her house during the festival.
Este hotel puede hospedar a más de quinientas personas.
This hotel can accommodate more than five hundred people.
El gobierno decidió hospedar a los refugiados en centros comunitarios.
The government decided to house the refugees in community centers.
Providing vs. Receiving
When you use 'hospedar' by itself, you are the one giving the room to someone else. If you want to say YOU are staying somewhere, you must add 'se' to make it 'hospedarse'.
A/An After the Verb
When 'hospedar' is followed by a person, you need to use the word 'a' before the person, like: 'hospedar a Juan'.
Forgetting the 'Se' for yourself
Mistake: “Yo hospedo en un hotel.”
Correction: Me hospedo en un hotel. Use 'me' because you are lodging yourself.
rahn-CHAHRranˈtʃaɾ
Examples
Los exploradores decidieron ranchar cerca del río.
The explorers decided to camp out near the river.
Los soldados suelen ranchar juntos en el campamento.
The soldiers usually eat together in the camp mess.
Tuvimos que ranchar en una cabaña durante la expedición.
We had to lodge together in a cabin during the expedition.
Es agradable ranchar con compañeros de confianza.
It is nice to mess together with trusted companions.
Group Actions
This word implies a group action. You rarely 'ranchar' alone; it almost always involves sharing a space or meal with others.
Usage with Locations
When saying where you are staying, use 'en' (in) after the verb, just like in English: 'ranchar en el bosque' (to camp in the forest).
Confusing with 'Rancho'
Mistake: “Using 'ranchar' to mean 'to buy a ranch'.”
Correction: Say 'comprar una finca' or 'establecer un rancho'. 'Ranchar' is about the act of staying or eating together.
in-ter-po-NERinteɾpoˈneɾ
Examples
El abogado tuvo que interponer un recurso de apelación.
The lawyer had to lodge an appeal.
Decidieron interponer una demanda contra la empresa.
They decided to file a lawsuit against the company.
El abogado va a interponer un recurso de apelación mañana.
The lawyer is going to lodge an appeal tomorrow.
Es necesario interponer la queja ante el organismo correspondiente.
It is necessary to submit the complaint to the relevant body.
Think of the verb 'poner'
This word is just the verb 'poner' (to put) with 'inter-' in front. It follows the exact same irregular patterns for all its changes.
Formal Context Only
In casual conversation, you wouldn't use this for everyday 'putting.' It is strictly for formal legal actions or putting one thing physically between others.
Don't conjugate it regularly
Mistake: “Yo interponí una queja.”
Correction: Yo interpuse una queja. (Because the past form of 'poner' is 'puse', the past of 'interponer' is 'interpuse').
Accommodation vs. Legal Action
The most common mistake is confusing the accommodation-related verbs ('acomodar', 'alojar', 'hospedar') with 'interponer'. Remember that 'interponer' is only used for formal complaints or legal actions, never for finding a place to sleep.
Related Translations
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