This page in your language

فارسی

العربية

Deutsch

Español

Français

日本語

한국어

Português

中文

हिन्दी

Home
Learn
Spanish
Vocabulary
la operación

A2 noun #4,500 most common 15 min read

la operación

Top 4,500

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips la operación in 30 Seconds

Explanation la operación in your Level:

At the A1 level, you should recognize 'la operación' primarily in its most basic medical and mathematical forms. Think of it as a 'cognate'—a word that looks and sounds like its English equivalent 'operation'. At this stage, you only need to know that it is a feminine noun ('la operación') and that it usually refers to a doctor performing surgery or a student doing a simple math problem like 2 + 2. You might hear it in a doctor's office or see it in a basic textbook. Key phrases to learn are 'la operación de matemáticas' and 'la operación en el hospital'. Remember the 'ción' ending always means the word is feminine, so you should always use 'la' or 'una'. Don't worry about complex grammar yet; just focus on identifying the word and knowing it means something organized is happening, usually in a hospital or a classroom. You should also be aware that the plural is 'las operaciones' and it loses the accent mark on the 'o'.

At the A2 level, you begin to use 'la operación' in simple sentences to describe health or daily activities. You should be able to say things like 'Mi abuela tiene una operación mañana' (My grandmother has an operation tomorrow) or 'La operación fue un éxito' (The operation was a success). You are now learning to pair the noun with common adjectives like 'difícil', 'fácil', 'rápida', or 'larga'. You should also start noticing the word in news headlines, specifically regarding police 'operaciones'. This is also the level where you should distinguish between the patient and the doctor using verbs like 'someterse a' (to undergo) or 'hacer' (to do). You might also encounter the cultural term 'Operación Salida' if you are studying Spanish culture, referring to holiday traffic. Mastery at A2 means using the correct gender and realizing that 'operación' is a specific event, not just a general concept of 'operating' a machine.

By B1, your understanding of 'la operación' should expand into more abstract and professional contexts. You should be comfortable using the word in business discussions ('una operación comercial') and financial transactions ('una operación bancaria'). You will learn more sophisticated collocations like 'llevar a cabo una operación' (to carry out an operation) or 'cancelar la operación'. In medical contexts, you might start using 'intervención' as a synonym to vary your vocabulary. You should also be able to describe the details of an operation using the preposition 'de', such as 'operación de apendicitis' or 'operación de estética'. At this level, you are expected to handle the plural 'operaciones' correctly in writing, ensuring the accent is removed. You should also be able to follow news stories about 'operaciones de rescate' (rescue operations) and understand the logistical implications the word carries in those stories.

At the B2 level, you use 'la operación' with precision across diverse fields. You understand the nuances between 'operación', 'procedimiento', and 'cirugía'. You can participate in debates about the healthcare system, discussing 'listas de espera para operaciones' (waiting lists for operations). In a professional setting, you can describe 'operaciones de mercado' (market operations) or 'operación de logística'. You also become familiar with idiomatic or culturally specific uses, such as 'Operación Bikini'. Your grammar should be flawless, including the use of the word in complex sentence structures like 'Si la operación no hubiera sido exitosa, el paciente habría tenido problemas'. You recognize that 'operación' implies a high level of coordination and professional standards. You can also use the word metaphorically, perhaps describing a complex social project as a 'gran operación'.

At the C1 level, 'la operación' is a tool for nuanced expression. You can use it in academic or legal contexts, such as discussing 'operaciones societarias' (corporate operations) in a law class or 'operaciones cognitivas' (cognitive operations) in psychology. You understand the historical and etymological roots of the word and can use it to describe complex philosophical concepts of action and agency. Your vocabulary includes very specific synonyms like 'praxis' or 'actuación' depending on the domain. You can write detailed reports about 'operaciones de mantenimiento' or 'operaciones tácticas', using a high register. You are also sensitive to the emotional weight the word carries in medical ethics discussions. At this level, you are not just using the word; you are manipulating its various shades of meaning to suit highly specific communicative goals, and you never confuse it with its false friends or related terms.

At the C2 level, your mastery of 'la operación' is indistinguishable from that of an educated native speaker. You can use the word in literary contexts, perhaps as a metaphor for the 'surgical' precision of a writer's prose. You are fully aware of all regional variations and slang, though 'la operación' itself remains quite standard. You can navigate the most complex financial prospectuses describing 'operaciones de cobertura' (hedging operations) or 'operaciones vinculadas' (related-party transactions). You understand the word's role in the 'Real Academia Española' definitions and can discuss its evolution in the Spanish language. Your use of the word in speech is effortless, perfectly integrated into complex rhetorical structures. You can also identify and correct subtle misuses of the word in others' speech, such as when a non-native speaker uses it in a context where 'funcionamiento' would be more appropriate.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

la operación in 30 Seconds

La operación primarily means a medical surgery or a mathematical calculation, used in formal and daily contexts across the Spanish-speaking world.
It is a feminine noun (la operación), and like most words ending in -ción, it requires an accent on the last 'o' in the singular.
The plural form is 'operaciones', which loses the written accent mark while maintaining the same pronunciation pattern for the root.
Beyond hospitals and classrooms, it describes police missions, business transactions, and specific cultural events like holiday traffic management.

The Spanish word la operación is a versatile feminine noun that primarily refers to a medical procedure involving an incision, but its utility extends far beyond the hospital walls. At its core, the word signifies a planned action or a series of actions aimed at achieving a specific result. In the medical context, it is the standard term for surgery. If a doctor tells you that you need an 'operación', they are referring to a surgical intervention. However, in the realm of mathematics, 'una operación' refers to calculations like addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division. In business and finance, it describes a transaction or a strategic move, such as a 'buy' or 'sell' order on the stock market. In military or police contexts, it refers to a coordinated mission or tactical maneuver. Understanding the breadth of this word is crucial for A2 learners because while the medical definition is most common in daily conversation, you will encounter its other forms in news reports, classrooms, and offices.

Medical Context: Refers to surgery performed by a doctor or surgeon to treat a disease or injury. It is often used with the verb 'someterse a' (to undergo).

El cirujano dijo que la operación fue todo un éxito y el paciente se recuperará pronto.

Beyond the physical body, the word is deeply embedded in the logic of systems. When a child learns 'las cuatro operaciones básicas', they are learning the foundations of arithmetic. In the corporate world, an 'operación comercial' might be a multi-million dollar merger. Even in social contexts, Spaniards use specific phrases like 'Operación Salida' to describe the massive movement of cars leaving cities at the start of a holiday period. This polysemy makes 'la operación' a high-frequency word. It is not just about a scalpel; it is about any organized process. Whether it is a 'peacekeeping operation' (operación de paz) or a 'mathematical operation' (operación matemática), the underlying theme is a structured effort to reach an end goal. For an English speaker, the transition is relatively easy as 'operation' shares the same Latin root, but the gender (feminine) and the accent on the 'o' are key details to master.

Mathematical Context: Refers to a calculation. For example, 'No entiendo esta operación de álgebra' means 'I do not understand this algebra calculation'.

In daily life, you might hear a neighbor talking about their 'operación de rodilla' (knee surgery) or a news anchor discussing a 'operación policial' (police raid). The word carries a sense of seriousness and formality. It implies that something is being done by professionals according to a plan. It is rarely used for casual or disorganized tasks. For instance, you wouldn't call cleaning your room 'una operación' unless you were being humorous or hyperbolic. The word implies a level of technicality or institutional backing. In Spanish-speaking cultures, health is a frequent topic of conversation, and discussing surgeries is common. Knowing how to use 'la operación' allows you to participate in these empathetic exchanges, offering well-wishes or asking about the recovery process. It is a bridge between technical jargon and everyday human concern.

Tactical Context: Used for police raids, military missions, or rescue efforts. 'La operación de rescate duró tres días'.

La policía inició una operación secreta para capturar al ladrón.

Using la operación correctly requires pairing it with the right verbs and prepositions. Because it is a feminine noun, any accompanying adjectives must also be feminine, such as 'una operación complicada' or 'la operación exitosa'. When talking about medical procedures, the most common verb is 'hacer' or 'realizar' for the surgeon, and 'tener' or 'someterse a' for the patient. For example, 'El doctor realizó la operación' (The doctor performed the operation) versus 'Mi abuelo tuvo una operación' (My grandfather had an operation). It is important to note that 'someterse a' is a more formal and precise way to say 'to undergo' an operation. If you want to say someone is currently in surgery, you would use 'está en operación' or more commonly 'está siendo operado/a'.

Common Verb Pairings: Realizar una operación (to perform), Someterse a una operación (to undergo), Cancelar una operación (to cancel), Salir bien de la operación (to come out well from surgery).

Mañana tengo la operación de la vista y estoy un poco nervioso.

In mathematical and logical contexts, we often use the verb 'hacer' or 'resolver'. You might say, 'Tienes que hacer la operación para encontrar el resultado' (You have to do the calculation to find the result). When discussing military or police actions, the verb 'llevar a cabo' (to carry out) is very frequent. For instance, 'Llevaron a cabo una operación de búsqueda' (They carried out a search operation). In financial contexts, 'cerrar una operación' means to close a deal or a trade. These nuances show that 'la operación' is a 'heavy' noun—it usually acts as the direct object of verbs involving action, completion, or process. It is rarely the subject of a sentence unless you are describing its characteristics, such as 'La operación duró cinco horas' (The operation lasted five hours).

Prepositional Usage: 'Operación de...' is used to specify the type: 'operación de corazón' (heart surgery), 'operación de rescate' (rescue operation), 'operación de suma' (addition operation).

When talking about the outcome of an operation, Spanish speakers often use the verb 'salir'. 'La operación salió bien' (The operation went well) is a standard phrase you will hear in hospitals. If you are talking about the recovery period, you would say 'después de la operación' or 'en el postoperatorio'. Adjectives used with 'la operación' often describe its difficulty or its nature: 'operación urgente' (emergency surgery), 'operación estética' (cosmetic surgery), or 'operación quirúrgica' (surgical operation). By mastering these collocations, you move from simply knowing the word to being able to use it naturally in conversation. Practice saying 'Tengo una operación programada' (I have a scheduled surgery) to get used to the rhythm of the word and its feminine agreement.

Adjective Agreement: Since 'operación' is feminine, adjectives must end in -a or be gender-neutral: 'operación rápida', 'operación difícil', 'operación exitosa'.

Fue una operación muy arriesgada, pero los médicos salvaron su vida.

In a Spanish-speaking environment, la operación is a word you will encounter in several distinct 'soundscapes'. The most common is the healthcare setting. In waiting rooms, pharmacies, and clinics, patients and doctors discuss 'la operación' constantly. You will hear it in phrases like 'lista de espera para la operación' (waiting list for surgery) or 'consentimiento para la operación' (consent for the operation). If you are watching a medical drama on television, like the Spanish series 'Centro Médico', the word will be used in every episode. It carries a tone of urgency and precision in these contexts. Because public healthcare is a major pillar of society in many Spanish-speaking countries, news about hospital efficiency and 'operaciones quirúrgicas' is a frequent topic in daily newspapers and television news bulletins.

In the Media: News reports often use 'operación' for police actions. You might hear 'operación antidroga' (anti-drug operation) or 'operación contra el fraude' (anti-fraud operation).

Las noticias informaron sobre una gran operación de rescate en la montaña.

Another place you will hear this word is in the education system. From primary school to university, 'la operación' is the bread and butter of math and science classes. Teachers will say, 'Escribid la operación en la pizarra' (Write the calculation on the board) or 'Revisad vuestras operaciones' (Check your calculations). In this context, it feels academic and methodical. Similarly, in the world of finance and business, specifically in places like the 'Bolsa de Madrid' (Madrid Stock Exchange) or banking centers in Mexico City, 'operación' refers to transactions. Bank tellers might ask, '¿Qué tipo de operación desea realizar?' (What kind of transaction do you wish to perform?), referring to a deposit, withdrawal, or transfer. This formal usage is standard across the Spanish-speaking world.

In the Bank: A bank employee might say: 'Esta operación tiene una comisión de cinco euros'. This refers to a service or transaction fee.

Finally, there are unique cultural 'operations' you will hear about. In Spain, 'Operación Bikini' is a very common (though somewhat controversial) term used in the spring to describe the effort people make to lose weight before summer. It appears in magazine headlines, advertisements, and casual jokes between friends. During major holidays like 'Semana Santa' (Holy Week), the traffic authorities launch 'Operación Salida' (Operation Departure) to manage the millions of cars on the roads. You will hear radio announcers warning, 'Atención conductores, comienza la Operación Salida'. These uses show that 'la operación' has moved from a technical term to a cultural label for massive, organized societal movements. Hearing these phrases will make you feel like a true insider in Spanish culture.

Colloquial/Cultural: 'Operación Bikini' (getting in shape for summer) and 'Operación Salida' (holiday traffic management).

En las noticias dicen que la operación salida será complicada por la lluvia.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make with la operación is gender confusion. Because 'operation' in English is neuter, learners often want to say 'el operación'. It is vital to memorize that almost all Spanish words ending in -ción are feminine. Always use 'la' or 'una'. Another common error is forgetting the written accent on the 'o' (ó). While it might seem minor, the accent indicates where the stress falls. If you omit it in writing, it is technically a spelling error. However, a more subtle mistake occurs in the plural form: 'las operaciones'. Notice that the accent mark disappears in the plural because the stress naturally falls on the penultimate syllable according to Spanish phonics rules. Forgetting to remove the accent in the plural is a common 'advanced' mistake.

Mistake: Gender: Incorrect: El operación fue difícil.
Correct: La operación fue difícil.

No digas 'el' operación, recuerda siempre que es una palabra femenina.

Another area of confusion is the distinction between 'operación' and 'cirugía'. While they are often used interchangeably in a medical context, 'cirugía' (surgery) refers to the medical specialty or the general act of operating, whereas 'la operación' refers to a specific instance or procedure. For example, you would say 'La cirugía es una rama de la medicina' (Surgery is a branch of medicine), but 'Tengo una operación mañana' (I have an operation tomorrow). Using 'cirugía' when you mean a specific scheduled 'operación' isn't necessarily wrong, but it can sound slightly less natural in casual conversation. Additionally, avoid using 'operación' to mean 'operating' as in 'the operating of a machine'. For that, Spanish uses 'funcionamiento' or 'manejo'. Saying 'La operación de esta lavadora es fácil' sounds like the washing machine is having surgery; use 'El funcionamiento de esta lavadora' instead.

Mistake: 'Operating' a machine: Incorrect: La operación de la cámara es compleja.
Correct: El manejo/funcionamiento de la cámara es complejo.

Lastly, pay attention to the prepositions. English speakers often say 'operation on the heart', translated literally as 'operación en el corazón'. While understandable, the more natural Spanish phrasing is 'operación de corazón'. The preposition 'de' is used to specify the type or the object of the operation. Similarly, for 'operation for a broken leg', use 'operación de pierna rota'. Another mistake is using the verb 'operar' without the reflexive 'se' when someone is getting surgery. If you say 'Mi amigo opera mañana', it sounds like your friend is the surgeon. If your friend is the patient, you must say 'Mi amigo se opera mañana' (My friend is having surgery) or 'A mi amigo lo operan mañana'. Distinguishing between the doctor (quien opera) and the patient (quien es operado/se opera) is a key grammatical hurdle.

Mistake: Subject vs. Object: Incorrect: Yo opero mañana (unless you are a surgeon).
Correct: Me operan mañana / Tengo una operación mañana.

Es un error común decir 'operación en' cuando lo correcto es 'operación de'.

While la operación is the most common term, several alternatives exist depending on the context and the level of formality you wish to convey. In medical settings, 'intervención quirúrgica' is the more formal, clinical term. You will see this on official hospital documents and in medical journals. It sounds more technical than 'operación'. Another related word is 'procedimiento' (procedure), which is a broader term that can include non-surgical actions like an endoscopy or a biopsy. If you are talking about the act of cutting into someone, 'cirugía' is the general noun for the field, but it is also used colloquially to mean 'the surgery' as an event. Understanding these nuances helps you sound more like a native speaker who can adjust their register.

Intervención Quirúrgica: The formal medical term. Used in professional contexts. 'El paciente requiere una intervención quirúrgica inmediata'.
Cirugía: Can refer to the field of medicine or a specific operation. 'La cirugía plástica es muy popular en este país'.

A veces, los médicos prefieren decir 'intervención' en lugar de operación para sonar más precisos.

In non-medical contexts, 'la operación' can be replaced by words like 'cálculo' (calculation) when referring to math. If you are doing a complex math problem, you might say 'el cálculo es difícil' instead of 'la operación es difícil'. In a business or financial context, 'transacción' (transaction) or 'negocio' (business deal) are often better fits. For example, 'una transacción bancaria' is more specific than 'una operación bancaria'. In military or police contexts, 'misión' (mission) or 'dispositivo' (deployment/operation) are common. A 'dispositivo policial' specifically refers to the logistical setup of police for an event. Using these specific terms shows a higher level of Spanish proficiency (B1/B2 level).

Cálculo: Specific to mathematics and finance. 'Hice el cálculo de los gastos mensuales'.
Transacción: Specific to banking and commerce. 'La transacción fue rechazada por el banco'.

When comparing 'operación' with 'proceso' (process), remember that 'operación' implies a specific, often technical action, while 'proceso' is broader and can last much longer. For instance, 'el proceso de recuperación' (the recovery process) happens after 'la operación'. In terms of antonyms, there isn't a single word that means 'the opposite of an operation', but contexts provide opposites. In math, 'inacción' or 'reposo' could be considered opposites in a physical sense. In business, 'cancelación' (cancellation) is the opposite of 'operación'. Understanding these linguistic neighbors allows you to build a semantic web around 'la operación', making it easier to remember and use in various life situations.

Misión: Often used for military or humanitarian efforts. 'La misión de paz fue un éxito'.

En lugar de operación, puedes usar 'transacción' si estás hablando de dinero.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The word 'opera' (musical drama) comes from the same root, as it is the plural of 'opus' (work). So 'la operación' and 'la ópera' are linguistic cousins!

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ˌɒpəˈreɪʃən/

US /ˌɑːpəˈreɪʃən/

The stress is on the final syllable: o-pe-ra-CIÓN.

Rhymes With

canción acción lección nación estación atención corazón razón

Common Errors

Stressing the 'ra' instead of the 'ción'.
Pronouncing the 'o' like the English 'oh' (diphthong) instead of a pure Spanish 'o'.
Failing to pronounce the 'r' clearly (it should be a single tap).
Pronouncing 'ción' as 'shun' (English style).
Keeping the accent in the plural 'operaciones'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize because it is a cognate with English.

Writing 3/5

The accent mark and the plural change (losing the accent) can be tricky.

Speaking 2/5

Pronunciation is straightforward once the 'ción' sound is mastered.

Listening 2/5

Easy to hear, but must distinguish between different contexts (math vs. medical).

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

médico hospital hacer número cuerpo

Learn Next

cirugía quirófano paciente recuperación intervención

Advanced

anestesiología postoperatorio transacción logística táctica

Grammar to Know

Feminine nouns ending in -ción

La operación, la canción, la nación.

Accent removal in plural

Operación -> Operaciones.

Adjective agreement with feminine nouns

La operación complicada.

Use of 'de' to specify type

Operación de corazón.

Passive 'se' with verbs of action

Se realizó la operación con éxito.

Examples by Level

La operación es fácil.

The calculation is easy.

Feminine noun 'la' matches the adjective 'fácil'.

Tengo una operación en el hospital.

I have an operation in the hospital.

Use 'una' for an indefinite operation.

La operación de suma es 2+2.

The addition operation is 2+2.

'De suma' specifies the type of math.

El médico hace la operación.

The doctor does the operation.

The verb 'hacer' is common for performing an action.

La operación no es larga.

The operation is not long.

Negative sentence structure with 'no'.

Mi operación es a las diez.

My operation is at ten.

Using 'ser' to indicate time.

Necesito una operación de rodilla.

I need a knee operation.

'De rodilla' identifies the body part.

Las operaciones son importantes.

The operations are important.

Plural form 'operaciones' loses the accent.

La operación salió muy bien.

The operation went very well.

The verb 'salir' is used to describe the outcome.

Mañana me hacen una operación de la vista.

Tomorrow they are doing an eye operation on me.

Reflexive/indirect object 'me' indicates who receives the action.

La policía tiene una operación hoy.

The police have an operation today.

Context changes from medical to tactical.

No comprendo esta operación matemática.

I don't understand this mathematical operation.

Adjective 'matemática' must be feminine.

Ella se recupera de la operación.

She is recovering from the operation.

Preposition 'de' indicates the cause of recovery.

La operación duró tres horas.

The operation lasted three hours.

The verb 'durar' indicates time span.

Es una operación muy común.

It is a very common operation.

Adjective 'común' is gender-neutral.

La operación fue un éxito total.

The operation was a total success.

Past tense 'fue' with the noun 'éxito'.

El paciente debe someterse a una operación urgente.

The patient must undergo an urgent operation.

'Someterse a' is the formal way to say 'undergo'.

La operación bancaria fue procesada.

The bank transaction was processed.

Financial context meaning 'transaction'.

Estamos en plena operación salida de vacaciones.

We are in the middle of the vacation departure operation.

Refers to the cultural phenomenon in Spain.

La operación de rescate fue muy arriesgada.

The rescue operation was very risky.

Noun phrase 'operación de rescate'.

Hay que revisar todas las operaciones del mes.

All the month's operations must be reviewed.

Plural 'operaciones' without accent.

El cirujano explicó los riesgos de la operación.

The surgeon explained the risks of the operation.

Definite article 'la' used for a specific procedure.

La operación de estética fue su elección.

The cosmetic surgery was her choice.

'De estética' specifies the type.

Fue una operación conjunta entre dos países.

It was a joint operation between two countries.

Adjective 'conjunta' agrees with 'operación'.

La operación militar se mantuvo en secreto.

The military operation was kept secret.

Passive voice construction 'se mantuvo'.

Cerraron la operación comercial con un apretón de manos.

They closed the business deal with a handshake.

Verb 'cerrar' used for finishing a deal.

La operación de corazón abierto es compleja.

Open-heart surgery is complex.

Compound adjective phrase 'de corazón abierto'.

Se han detectado irregularidades en la operación.

Irregularities have been detected in the operation.

Present perfect tense 'se han detectado'.

La operación bikini empieza en abril.

The 'Bikini Operation' starts in April.

Informal cultural reference.

La empresa expandió sus operaciones en el extranjero.

The company expanded its operations abroad.

Plural 'operaciones' in a corporate context.

La operación de limpieza del río duró semanas.

The river cleaning operation lasted weeks.

Environmental context.

No podemos permitir que la operación falle.

We cannot allow the operation to fail.

Subjunctive mood 'falle' after 'permitir que'.

La operación societaria requiere la aprobación del consejo.

The corporate operation requires board approval.

Formal adjective 'societaria'.

Se cuestionó la ética de la operación experimental.

The ethics of the experimental operation were questioned.

Abstract noun 'ética' modifying the context.

La operación de bolsa se ejecutó en milisegundos.

The stock market operation was executed in milliseconds.

Technical financial terminology.

Tras la operación, el paciente entró en observación.

After the operation, the patient went into observation.

Preposition 'tras' is more formal than 'después de'.

La operación logística fue una obra maestra de eficiencia.

The logistical operation was a masterpiece of efficiency.

Metaphorical use of 'obra maestra'.

Dicha operación está sujeta a la normativa vigente.

The said operation is subject to current regulations.

Formal demonstrative 'dicha'.

La operación de inteligencia desmanteló la red.

The intelligence operation dismantled the network.

Espionage/Police context.

Es necesario optimizar las operaciones de mantenimiento.

It is necessary to optimize maintenance operations.

Infinitive 'optimizar' as the subject.

La operación quirúrgica se dilató más de lo previsto.

The surgical operation took longer than expected.

Formal verb 'dilatarse' meaning to extend.

El filósofo analizó la operación del pensamiento puro.

The philosopher analyzed the operation of pure thought.

Metaphorical/Philosophical context.

Existe una opacidad inherente en esta operación financiera.

There is an inherent opacity in this financial operation.

Advanced vocabulary 'opacidad' and 'inherente'.

La operación de paz se vio truncada por el conflicto.

The peace operation was cut short by the conflict.

Sophisticated verb 'truncar'.

Se requiere una operación de gran calado político.

An operation of great political significance is required.

Idiomatic expression 'de gran calado'.

La operación de reestructuración fue dolorosa pero necesaria.

The restructuring operation was painful but necessary.

Corporate metaphor for change.

La operación de rescate bancario evitó el colapso.

The bank bailout operation prevented the collapse.

Economic terminology.

Cada operación del algoritmo es crucial para el resultado.

Every operation of the algorithm is crucial for the result.

Technical computer science context.

Common Collocations

operación quirúrgica

operación matemática

operación bancaria

operación de rescate

operación policial

operación de estética

operación de corazón

operación comercial

operación de mantenimiento

operación de vista

Common Phrases

Operación Salida

— The massive departure of cars from cities during holidays.

La Operación Salida causa muchos atascos.

Operación Retorno

— The massive return of cars to cities after holidays.

Mañana empieza la Operación Retorno.

Operación Bikini

— The diet and exercise routine before summer.

Estoy en plena Operación Bikini para ir a la playa.

En operación

— Currently running or functioning.

La planta ya está en operación.

Someterse a una operación

— To undergo surgery.

Tiene que someterse a una operación de urgencia.

Realizar una operación

— To perform an operation or transaction.

El banco permite realizar la operación online.

Operación de paz

— A peacekeeping mission.

La ONU envió una operación de paz.

Operación de castigo

— A punitive military strike.

Fue una operación de castigo contra el enemigo.

Operación relámpago

— A very fast operation.

Fue una operación relámpago de la policía.

Operación de crédito

— A credit transaction.

Firmamos la operación de crédito ayer.

Often Confused With

la operación vs operativo

Operativo is often an adjective (operational) or refers to a tactical deployment, while operación is the act itself.

la operación vs cirugía

Cirugía is the field of surgery; operación is the specific event.

la operación vs funcionamiento

Use funcionamiento for how a machine works, not operación.

Idioms & Expressions

"Estar en la mesa de operaciones"

— To be currently undergoing surgery.

El paciente ya está en la mesa de operaciones.

neutral

"Operación de maquillaje"

— A superficial change to hide a bad situation.

El cambio de logo fue solo una operación de maquillaje.

informal

"Operación triunfo"

— A total success (often referencing the famous TV show).

Nuestra presentación fue una operación triunfo.

colloquial

"Operación hormiga"

— Small, repeated actions that lead to a big result (often smuggling).

Entran los productos mediante una operación hormiga.

informal

"Salir de la operación"

— To finish surgery and start recovery.

Acaba de salir de la operación y está dormido.

neutral

"Operación limpieza"

— A thorough purge or cleanup (often political).

El nuevo alcalde inició una operación limpieza.

journalistic

"Hacer la operación"

— To calculate something.

Haz la operación en un papel.

neutral

"Operación asfalto"

— Large-scale road repaving in a city.

La operación asfalto cortará las calles este mes.

administrative

"Operación especial"

— A specific, non-routine mission.

Los soldados están en una operación especial.

formal

"Operación de rescate"

— Saving someone or something in trouble.

Iniciaron la operación de rescate al amanecer.

neutral

Easily Confused

la operación vs operar

Verb form

Operar is the action (to operate), operación is the noun (the operation).

El doctor va a operar ahora.

la operación vs operario

Similar root

An operario is a worker or operator, not a surgical procedure.

El operario arregló la máquina.

la operación vs obrar

Similar meaning of 'to work'

Obrar is more philosophical or refers to construction 'obra', while operar is technical.

Hay que obrar con cautela.

la operación vs procedimiento

Synonym

Procedimiento is a set of steps; operación is the specific intervention.

El procedimiento es largo.

la operación vs intervención

Synonym

Intervención is more formal and includes any type of meddling or help.

La intervención del gobierno fue necesaria.

Sentence Patterns

La operación es [adjective].

La operación es fácil.

Tengo una operación de [noun].

Tengo una operación de rodilla.

El médico realizó la operación de [noun].

El médico realizó la operación de apéndice.

La operación salió [adverb].

La operación salió bien.

Someterse a una operación de [noun].

Ella tuvo que someterse a una operación de corazón.

Llevar a cabo una operación [adjective].

Llevaron a cabo una operación secreta.

Dicha operación requiere [noun].

Dicha operación requiere mucha precisión.

La operación de [abstract noun] es [adjective].

La operación del intelecto es fascinante.

Word Family

Nouns

operario (worker)

operativo (operation/plan)

operador (operator)

operatividad (operability)

Verbs

operar (to operate)

reoperar (to operate again)

Adjectives

operativo (operational)

operable (operable)

quirúrgico (surgical)

cirujano

quirófano

anestesia

paciente

cálculo

How to Use It

frequency

Very high; used daily in various contexts.

Common Mistakes

El operación fue exitoso. → La operación fue exitosa.
Operación is feminine, so the article and the adjective must be feminine.
Tengo un operación mañana. → Tengo una operación mañana.
Use the feminine indefinite article 'una'.
Las operaciónes salieron bien. → Las operaciones salieron bien.
Remove the accent mark in the plural form.
Hice la operación en mi brazo. → Me operaron del brazo / Tuve una operación de brazo.
English 'operation on' is translated as 'operación de' or using reflexive verbs.
La operación de la computadora es simple. → El funcionamiento de la computadora es simple.
Use 'funcionamiento' for machines, not 'operación'.

Tips

Gender Rule

Words ending in -ción are almost always feminine. Remember: La operación, La canción.

Accent Mark

Don't forget the accent on the 'ó' in the singular. It's crucial for correct pronunciation.

Use 'Intervención'

If you want to sound more professional in a medical or legal report, use 'intervención'.

Holiday Traffic

If you are in Spain during Easter or August, listen for 'Operación Salida' on the radio.

Math Context

In a classroom, 'operación' refers to the steps you take to solve a problem.

Stress the End

Always hit the last syllable hard: o-pe-ra-CIÓN!

Someterse a

Use the verb 'someterse a' to sound like a native when talking about going into surgery.

Avoid 'El'

Never say 'el operación'. It's a common mistake for English speakers. It's always 'la'.

Plural Spelling

Remove the accent in 'operaciones'. It's a key rule for all -ción words.

Operación Bikini

Use this phrase to joke about getting fit for the summer.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Imagine a doctor in an OPERA house doing MATH on a patient. It's a medical 'operación' with mathematical 'operaciones'!

Visual Association

Visualize a scalpel and a calculator crossed like a pirate flag. This represents the two main uses of 'la operación'.

Word Web

médico cirujano hospital suma resta cálculo policía banco

Challenge

Try to use 'la operación' in three different sentences today: one about health, one about math, and one about a plan you have.

Word Origin

From the Latin 'operatio, -onis', which comes from 'operari' (to work).

Original meaning: A working, doing, or performance of a task.

Romance (Latin root).

Cultural Context

When discussing medical operations, be mindful of the person's privacy, although Spanish speakers are generally more open about health than many English speakers.

English uses 'operation' similarly, but 'surgery' is often preferred for medical contexts, whereas Spanish uses 'operación' more frequently in casual talk.

Operación Triunfo (famous Spanish TV show) Operación Puerto (famous doping scandal in cycling) Operación Ogro (historical event in Spain)

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Hospital

¿Cuándo es la operación?
La operación fue un éxito.
El cirujano está en la operación.
Consentimiento para la operación.

Math Class

Haz la operación en la pizarra.
Revisa tus operaciones.
Es una operación de dividir.
¿Cuál es el resultado de la operación?

Bank

Deseo realizar una operación.
La operación tiene comisión.
Operación bancaria confirmada.
Cerrar la operación.

News

Operación policial en curso.
Operación de rescate en la montaña.
La Operación Salida comienza hoy.
Operación contra el narcotráfico.

Gym/Health

Empezar la Operación Bikini.
Dieta para la Operación Bikini.
Resultados de la Operación Bikini.
Operación estética.

Conversation Starters

"¿Alguna vez has tenido una operación importante?"

"¿Cómo va la recuperación de tu operación?"

"¿Crees que las operaciones de estética son necesarias?"

"¿Qué tal te fue en el examen? ¿Eran difíciles las operaciones?"

"¿Has oído hablar de la Operación Salida en las noticias hoy?"

Journal Prompts

Describe una vez que tuviste que someterte a una operación o cuando alguien que conoces lo hizo.

Escribe sobre la importancia de las operaciones matemáticas en la vida diaria.

¿Qué opinas sobre la 'Operación Bikini'? ¿Es algo positivo o negativo para la sociedad?

Imagina que eres un cirujano. Describe un día típico de operaciones en el hospital.

Escribe sobre una 'operación de rescate' imaginaria para salvar a un animal.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Es femenino. Siempre se dice 'la operación' o 'una operación'. Esto se debe a su terminación en -ción, que es una regla general en español para el género femenino.

Se quita el acento en la forma plural: 'operaciones'. Esto ocurre porque la sílaba tónica cambia de posición según las reglas de acentuación del español.

No es lo más común. Para máquinas, es mejor usar 'funcionamiento' o 'manejo'. Si dices 'la operación de la lavadora', un nativo podría pensar en una cirugía humorística.

Es una frase hecha que se refiere al esfuerzo por adelgazar y ponerse en forma antes de que llegue el verano para lucir bien en traje de baño.

Se puede decir 'tener una operación', 'someterse a una operación' (más formal) o 'ser operado' (pasiva).

En medicina son casi iguales, pero 'cirugía' es el nombre de la disciplina médica y 'operación' es el acto concreto del médico sobre el paciente.

Sí, para referirse a sumas, restas, multiplicaciones y divisiones. 'Haz la operación' significa 'Do the math/calculation'.

Es el término que usa la policía y los medios en España para referirse al tráfico masivo cuando empiezan las vacaciones.

Se dice 'operación de corazón'. Recuerda usar la preposición 'de'.

Sí, es una palabra de nivel A2 que aparece en conversaciones sobre salud, noticias, escuela y negocios con mucha frecuencia.