administración
administración 30초 만에
- Administración means management, whether in business, government, or medicine.
- It is a feminine noun (la administración) and always has an accent on the 'ó'.
- In Spain, it can also refer to a shop that sells lottery tickets.
- It is more formal than 'gestión' and often refers to the structure or entity.
The Spanish word administración is a multifaceted noun that primarily refers to the act of managing, directing, or supervising resources, people, or organizations. At its core, it stems from the Latin administratio, which implies service and execution. In a business context, it encompasses the strategic planning and day-to-day operations of a company. However, its reach extends far beyond the boardroom. It is equally used to describe the machinery of government—the 'Public Administration'—which handles the bureaucratic and executive functions of a state or municipality. Furthermore, in medical and scientific fields, it refers to the precise delivery of a substance, such as a drug or vaccine. Understanding this word requires recognizing its role as both a process (the act of managing) and an entity (the department or office that does the managing).
- Business Management
- The coordination of business activities to achieve defined objectives.
- Government Body
- The executive branch or the collective group of agencies that run a country.
- Medical Delivery
- The process of giving a patient a dose of medicine.
"La administración de la empresa decidió implementar nuevas políticas de teletrabajo para mejorar la productividad."
In everyday Spanish, you might encounter this word when dealing with paperwork at a local town hall (ayuntamiento) or when discussing your field of study. 'Administración de Empresas' (Business Administration) is one of the most popular degrees in the Spanish-speaking world. It suggests a comprehensive grasp of accounting, human resources, and logistics. When used in the plural, administraciones, it often refers to different levels of government, such as local, regional, and national authorities working in tandem. This word is essential for B1 learners because it bridges the gap between basic survival Spanish and professional or civic engagement.
"Es necesario mejorar la administración de los recursos hídricos en las zonas rurales."
From a linguistic perspective, the word carries a formal weight. It is not a word you would typically use for managing a small personal task like 'managing my time' (where gestión might be more common), but rather for structured, official, or systemic oversight. It implies a level of responsibility and organized effort. Whether you are talking about the administración de fincas (property management) or the administración de justicia (the court system), the word serves as a pillar for describing how modern society functions through organized structures.
"La administración pública debe ser transparente y eficiente."
- Etymology
- From Latin ad- (to) + ministrare (to serve).
- Grammar
- Feminine noun; plural: administraciones.
Using administración correctly involves understanding its collocations—the words it naturally hangs out with. In a professional setting, you will frequently pair it with verbs like llevar (to handle/carry out), gestionar (to manage), or mejorar (to improve). For instance, 'Llevar la administración' is a very common way to say someone is in charge of the paperwork and finances of a small business. It sounds more natural than using more complex verbs in a casual business conversation.
- As a subject: "La administración ha denegado mi solicitud." (The administration has denied my request.)
- As an object: "Estudio administración de empresas." (I study business administration.)
- In prepositional phrases: "Trabajo en el departamento de administración." (I work in the administration department.)
When discussing government, the term Administración Pública is a fixed phrase. It refers to the entire body of civil servants and agencies. If you are applying for a visa or a permit, you are interacting with the administración. In this context, the word often carries a connotation of bureaucracy. You might hear people complain about the lentitud de la administración (the slowness of the administration), which is a common cultural trope in many Spanish-speaking countries.
"Para abrir un negocio, hay que lidiar con mucha administración y papeleo."
In medical contexts, the word is used for the delivery of drugs. You will see this on prescriptions or in hospital settings: vía de administración (route of administration), such as oral, intravenosa, or tópica. This is a technical usage that B1 students should recognize, especially if they are traveling or living in a Spanish-speaking country and need to visit a doctor. It is rarely used in plural in this specific medical sense.
Finally, consider the concept of administración de fincas. In Spain and parts of Latin America, most people live in apartment buildings (comunidades de vecinos). These buildings are managed by an administrador who handles the administración of the building—paying for electricity in common areas, hiring cleaners, and managing the budget. If you rent an apartment, you might have to contact the administración if the elevator breaks down.
You will encounter administración in several distinct environments, each giving the word a slightly different flavor. The most common place is in the news and media. News anchors frequently discuss the Administración General del Estado or the administraciones locales when reporting on new laws, budgets, or public works. If there is a change in tax law, the administración tributaria (tax administration) will be the protagonist of the story.
- The Office
- In any company, 'Administración' is usually the sign on the door where the accountants and HR staff work.
- The University
- Students often talk about the 'Secretaría de Administración' when they need to enroll or pay tuition fees.
- The Street
- In Spain, look for the blue and gold signs of an 'Administración de Lotería'. It's where the famous Christmas lottery tickets are sold.
In a legal or formal letter, you will see it used in headers or official stamps. Phrases like Ante la Administración (Before the Administration) are common in legal appeals. If you are watching a TV show about a hospital, like 'Hospital Central', you will hear doctors discussing the administración de antibióticos. In a political drama, characters might debate the mala administración of public funds, implying corruption or incompetence.
"El director general elogió la excelente administración de los recursos durante la crisis."
Social media and blogs also use the term, particularly in the context of 'Administración del tiempo' (Time Management). Influencers and productivity gurus often share tips on how to improve the administración of one's daily schedule. Here, the word takes on a more personal and proactive tone, moving away from the cold, bureaucratic feel of government offices. It becomes a tool for self-improvement and efficiency.
One of the most frequent mistakes for English speakers is using administración to refer to a specific 'term of office' of a politician in the same way 'The Obama Administration' is used. While you can say 'la administración de Obama', it is much more common and natural in Spanish to say 'el gobierno de Obama' or 'el mandato de Obama'. Using administración in this specific political sense can sometimes sound like a direct, slightly awkward translation from English.
- Mistake: "Durante la administración de Bush..." (Common, but 'gobierno' is better).
- Better: "Durante el gobierno de Bush..."
Another common error is the gender of the word. Like almost all Spanish words ending in -ción, administración is feminine. Students often mistakenly use the masculine article el because management is often associated with 'the office' (el despacho) or 'the work' (el trabajo). Always remember: la administración, las administraciones.
Spelling is another pitfall. In English, 'administration' has four 'i's and no accent. In Spanish, it has an accent on the final 'o': administración. When you make it plural, the accent disappears: administraciones. This is a general rule for words ending in -ción, but it's one that B1 students frequently forget in the heat of writing an essay or an email.
Incorrect: "El administración de la medicina fue rápido."
Correct: "La administración de la medicina fue rápida."
To truly master administración, you should know its 'cousins'—words that share a similar space but have distinct meanings. The most important one is gestión. While administración often refers to the structure and the official side of things, gestión (management/handling) is more about the action and the results. You administrate a department, but you gestionate (manage) a specific project or a crisis. Gestión feels more dynamic and modern.
- Gerencia
- Refers specifically to the management level of a company (the 'management' or 'executives').
- Dirección
- Focuses on the leadership and guidance aspect (the 'direction' or 'board').
- Gobierno
- The political leadership of a country or region.
Another related word is manejo. This is more common in Latin America than in Spain. It refers to the 'handling' or 'handling' of something, often physical or financial. 'El manejo de fondos' (the handling of funds) is a common phrase. It is slightly less formal than administración. Then there is organización, which refers to the way things are arranged or the entity itself. You need good administración to have a well-functioning organización.
"La gestión del tiempo es clave, pero la administración de la empresa es lo que garantiza el sueldo."
In the medical field, you might hear suministro (supply/provision) or aplicación (application). While administración is the official term for giving a drug, aplicación is often used for creams or external treatments. Knowing these distinctions helps you choose the right word for the right level of formality and the right context, making your Spanish sound more sophisticated and precise.
How Formal Is It?
난이도
알아야 할 문법
Nouns ending in -ción are feminine.
Accents on the last syllable of words ending in -n, -s, or vowel.
Dropping the accent in the plural form of -ción words.
수준별 예문
La administración está en el primer piso.
The office is on the first floor.
Feminine singular noun.
Busco la administración de la escuela.
I am looking for the school office.
Used with the definite article 'la'.
La administración abre a las nueve.
The office opens at nine.
Present tense verb 'abre'.
Ella trabaja en administración.
She works in administration.
Used without an article after 'en'.
Necesito ir a la administración.
I need to go to the office.
Preposition 'a' + 'la'.
La administración es pequeña.
The office is small.
Adjective 'pequeña' matches gender.
No me gusta la administración.
I don't like the administration/office.
Verb 'gustar' with feminine subject.
Hola, ¿es la administración?
Hello, is this the office?
Question form.
Quiero estudiar administración de empresas.
I want to study business administration.
Compound noun phrase.
La administración pública es muy lenta.
The public administration is very slow.
Adjective 'pública' modifies the noun.
Mi padre trabaja en la administración del hospital.
My father works in the hospital administration.
Possessive 'del' (de + el).
Hay una administración de lotería en mi calle.
There is a lottery office on my street.
Indefinite article 'una'.
La administración de mi tiempo es mala.
My time management is bad.
Abstract use of the word.
Debemos mejorar la administración del dinero.
We must improve the money management.
Verb 'mejorar' + object.
La administración envió una carta ayer.
The administration sent a letter yesterday.
Preterite tense 'envió'.
Gracias por su ayuda con la administración.
Thanks for your help with the administration.
Preposition 'con'.
Juan lleva la administración de la pequeña tienda.
Juan handles the management of the small shop.
Idiomatic 'llevar la administración'.
La administración de la vacuna fue un éxito.
The administration of the vaccine was a success.
Medical context.
Necesitamos una administración más eficiente.
We need a more efficient administration.
Comparative 'más eficiente'.
La administración de fincas es un buen negocio.
Property management is a good business.
Specific industry term.
El curso trata sobre la administración de recursos.
The course is about resource management.
Preposition 'sobre'.
La administración central tomó la decisión.
The central administration took the decision.
Political context.
No entiendo la administración de este sistema.
I don't understand the management of this system.
Demonstrative 'este'.
La administración de justicia es fundamental.
The administration of justice is fundamental.
Legal context.
La descentralización de la administración es necesaria.
The decentralization of the administration is necessary.
Complex noun 'descentralización'.
Se requiere una correcta administración de los fondos públicos.
A correct administration of public funds is required.
Passive 'se requiere'.
La administración de medicamentos debe ser supervisada.
The administration of medicines must be supervised.
Modal 'debe ser' + participle.
Las administraciones locales tienen poco presupuesto.
Local administrations have a small budget.
Plural form 'administraciones'.
La administración de la crisis fue muy criticada.
The management of the crisis was highly criticized.
Passive voice 'fue criticada'.
Estudió un máster en administración de empresas (MBA).
He studied a master's in business administration.
Academic terminology.
La administración tributaria inspeccionará la empresa.
The tax administration will inspect the company.
Future tense 'inspeccionará'.
La burocracia en la administración es un obstáculo.
Bureaucracy in the administration is an obstacle.
Abstract noun 'burocracia'.
El silencio administrativo se interpreta como una negativa.
Administrative silence is interpreted as a refusal.
Legal term 'silencio administrativo'.
La administración delegada permite mayor agilidad.
Delegated administration allows for greater agility.
Technical management term.
Es un experto en derecho y administración pública.
He is an expert in law and public administration.
Academic field.
La administración de la prueba fue impugnada por el abogado.
The administration of the evidence was challenged by the lawyer.
Legal procedural context.
La nueva administración heredó una deuda millonaria.
The new administration inherited a million-dollar debt.
Political/Financial context.
Se debate la ética en la administración de datos masivos.
Ethics in the administration of big data is being debated.
Modern tech context.
La administración de fincas requiere colegiación obligatoria.
Property management requires mandatory professional registration.
Professional regulation.
La transparencia es el pilar de la administración moderna.
Transparency is the pillar of modern administration.
Metaphorical usage.
La hipertrofia de la administración dificulta la innovación.
The hypertrophy of the administration hinders innovation.
Advanced vocabulary 'hipertrofia'.
Se analiza la administración del poder en regímenes totalitarios.
The administration of power in totalitarian regimes is analyzed.
Political science context.
La administración de justicia debe ser ajena a intereses políticos.
The administration of justice must be foreign to political interests.
Philosophical/Legal stance.
La administración de la terapia génica es aún experimental.
The administration of gene therapy is still experimental.
Scientific precision.
La eficacia de la administración se mide por el bienestar social.
The efficiency of the administration is measured by social welfare.
Sociological context.
La administración concursal gestionó la quiebra de la aerolínea.
The bankruptcy administration managed the airline's collapse.
Specialized legal term.
La administración de los bienes gananciales tras el divorcio.
The administration of marital assets after the divorce.
Family law context.
La administración del legado cultural es una tarea ingente.
The administration of the cultural legacy is a massive task.
Abstract/Cultural context.
자주 쓰는 조합
자주 쓰는 구문
자주 혼동되는 단어
관용어 및 표현
혼동하기 쉬운
The person, not the process.
The adjective or the clerical worker.
문장 패턴
사용법
Refers to the act of giving medicine.
Refers to management and accounting.
- Using 'el' instead of 'la'.
- Forgetting the accent on the 'ó'.
- Using it for 'political term' instead of 'gobierno'.
- Confusing 'administración' with 'administrador'.
- Keeping the accent in the plural form.
팁
Gender Rule
Words ending in -ción are always feminine. Always use 'la'.
The Accent
Put the accent on the last 'o'. It shows where the stress is.
Synonyms
Use 'gestión' to sound more modern in a business context.
Lottery
In Spain, look for 'Administración de Lotería' for luck!
Job Titles
An 'administrativo' is a clerk; an 'administrador' is a manager.
Dosage
In a hospital, 'administración' means giving the medicine.
Justice
'Administración de justicia' refers to the court system.
Time
Use 'administración del tiempo' for time management.
Plural Rule
Remember to remove the accent: administraciones.
Context
If you hear it in the news, think 'Government agencies'.
암기하기
어원
문화적 맥락
Lottery shops are called 'Administraciones'.
'Manejo' is often used as a synonym in casual speech.
실생활에서 연습하기
실제 사용 상황
대화 시작하기
"¿Qué opinas de la administración pública en tu país?"
"¿Has estudiado administración de empresas?"
"¿Es difícil la administración de tu edificio?"
"¿Cómo es la administración del tiempo en tu trabajo?"
"¿Alguna vez has tenido problemas con la administración?"
일기 주제
Describe cómo es la administración de tus finanzas personales.
Escribe sobre un día trabajando en la administración de una oficina.
¿Cómo crees que la tecnología puede mejorar la administración pública?
Reflexiona sobre la importancia de la administración de justicia.
Imagina que eres el administrador de una gran empresa. ¿Qué harías?
자주 묻는 질문
10 질문Es 'la administración' porque termina en -ción.
Sí, en la 'o' (administración), pero se quita en el plural (administraciones).
Es una tienda oficial donde se venden boletos de lotería en España.
Administración es más estructural; gestión es más operativa.
Sí, para la entrega de medicamentos al paciente.
Administración de Empresas.
Sí, suele usarse en contextos profesionales y oficiales.
Es cuando la administración no responde a un ciudadano en el plazo legal.
Sí, pero 'el gobierno de Obama' es más común en español.
Gestiona los asuntos de un edificio de apartamentos.
셀프 테스트 180 질문
/ 180 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
Administración is the essential Spanish word for 'management' and 'administration'. It covers everything from running a multi-million dollar company to the bureaucratic functions of a government and the precise delivery of medical treatments.
- Administración means management, whether in business, government, or medicine.
- It is a feminine noun (la administración) and always has an accent on the 'ó'.
- In Spain, it can also refer to a shop that sells lottery tickets.
- It is more formal than 'gestión' and often refers to the structure or entity.
Gender Rule
Words ending in -ción are always feminine. Always use 'la'.
The Accent
Put the accent on the last 'o'. It shows where the stress is.
Synonyms
Use 'gestión' to sound more modern in a business context.
Lottery
In Spain, look for 'Administración de Lotería' for luck!
관련 콘텐츠
business 관련 단어
a cambio
B1그 대가로. '펜을 주는 대가로 책을 드립니다.'
a cambio de
B1대신에 / ~와 교환하여. 상호 교환이나 조건을 나타낼 때 사용됩니다.
a cargo de
B1~을 담당하는; ~의 책임인.
a diario
B1매일 또는 일상적으로라는 뜻입니다. 습관이나 일과를 설명할 때 사용됩니다.
a excepción de
B1~을 제외하고; ~외에는. '그를 제외하고 모두가 왔다.'
a fin de que
B1목적절을 도입하는 접속사로, '…하기 위해서', '…하도록’을 의미합니다.
a fondo
B1Thoroughly or in depth.
a la vez
B1스페인어 구문 'a la vez'는 두 가지 이상의 일이 동시에 발생한다는 것을 의미합니다. 병행하는 동작을 나타내는 데 사용됩니다.
a medida que
B1At the same rate or in the same way as.
a medio plazo
B1중기적으로, 적당한 기간에 걸쳐.