Spanish word

orfelinato

Pronunciation

IPA/oɾfeliˈnato/

Meaning

  • masculine nounorphanage

Example

Hay un orfelinato cerca de mi casa.

There is an orphanage near my house.

Illustration for orfelinato (orphanage)

More examples

Voy a hacer voluntariado en el orfelinato este verano.

I'm going to volunteer at the orphanage this summer.

Core concept

Institutional home that houses and cares for orphaned children.

Common phrases

  • hacer voluntariado en un orfelinato

    volunteer at an orphanage

  • los niños del orfelinato

    the children of the orphanage

  • el director del orfelinato

    the director of the orphanage

Similar words

orfanato: Institutional place where children without parental care live and are raised communally.
casa de acogida: Temporary, family-style residence that provides short-term care for children.
albergue: Simple shelter that offers short-term lodging and basic aid to people in urgent need.
hogar de menores: Residential center dedicated to the daily care, education, and welfare of minors.

Definition in Spanish

Institución que acoge y cuida a niños huérfanos o que no pueden vivir con su familia.

Word origin

Borrowed from French orphelinat (from Old French orphelin 'orphan'), with Spanish adopting the -ato ending to name the place of care.

Usage tips

  • Orfelinato sounds formal and usually denotes an institutional facility, so everyday speakers prefer hogar or centro de acogida and familia de acogida for foster situations.

Other meanings

  • children's homenoun

Opposites

Word lists with this word