Inklingo

How to Say "ward" in Spanish

English → Spanish

sala

/SAH-lah//ˈsala/

nounB1general
Use 'sala' when referring to a specific room or section within a larger building, especially a hospital room or ward like the maternity ward.
A clean, orderly public waiting room with several rows of connected chairs and a closed door.

Examples

La paciente fue trasladada a la sala de maternidad.

The patient was transferred to the maternity ward.

La conferencia será en la sala número cinco.

The conference will be in room number five.

Compramos boletos para la sala de conciertos.

We bought tickets for the concert hall.

El paciente fue trasladado a la sala de urgencias.

The patient was moved to the emergency room/ward.

ala

/ah-lah//ˈala/

nounB1general
Use 'ala' to refer to a larger section or wing of a building, such as a wing of a hospital or a library.
A simplified, colorful drawing of a large building with a clearly defined side section extending outwards, representing the wing of the structure.

Examples

El nuevo departamento de oncología se encuentra en el ala oeste del hospital.

The new oncology department is located in the west wing of the hospital.

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.

protegido

proh-teh-HEE-doh/pɾoteˈxiðo/

nounB1general
Use 'protegido' (masculine) or 'protegida' (feminine) when referring to someone under legal guardianship or a person who is being sponsored or mentored by someone influential.
A wise, older mentor figure gently places a hand on the shoulder of a younger person while both look intently at a large, open book on a table.

Examples

Ella es la protegido de un reconocido pintor.

She is the protégé of a renowned painter.

El joven artista era el protegido de la famosa escultora.

The young artist was the protégé of the famous sculptress.

El director siempre defendía a su protegido en las reuniones.

The director always defended his ward (or protégé) in the meetings.

Feminine Form

The feminine form of the noun is 'la protegida' (the female protégé or ward). The meaning remains the same, only the gender changes.

Confusing 'ala' and 'sala'

The most common mistake is confusing 'ala' and 'sala'. Remember that 'sala' is generally a specific room or chamber within a hospital (like a ward), while 'ala' refers to a larger division or wing of a building.

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