Spanish word

orfanato

Pronunciation

IPA/oɾfaˈnato/

Meaning

  • masculine nounorphanage

Example

¿Dónde está el orfanato?

Where is the orphanage?

Illustration for orfanato (orphanage)

More examples

Hicimos voluntariado en el orfanato durante el verano.

We volunteered at the orphanage during the summer.

Core concept

Sheltered home where children without parents live and receive daily care.

Common phrases

  • ayudar en el orfanato

    help at the orphanage

  • hacer voluntariado en el orfanato

    volunteer at the orphanage

  • colaborar con el orfanato

    collaborate with the orphanage

Similar words

hogar: Family-like home where children live and are raised in a domestic, parental-style environment.
casa hogar: Long-term, home-style facility where several children are raised together like a family.
centro de acogida: Short-term emergency shelter that temporarily receives children who need immediate protection.
casa cuna: Facility that cares for and raises infants and very young children, often day and night.

Definition in Spanish

Institución donde viven niños sin padres que reciben protección, alimentación y atención diaria.

Word origin

Spanish orfanato derives from Greek ὀρφανός 'orphan' through Latin and medieval Romance forms, adapted as a noun for the place that houses orphans.

Usage tips

  • Many speakers prefer less institutional terms such as hogar or casa de acogida for smaller or temporary care settings instead of orfanato.

Word lists with this word