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"Alojar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to accommodate", and "albergar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to house". Learn more about the difference between "alojar" and "albergar" below.
alojar(
ah
-
loh
-
hahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. to accommodate
Podremos alojar 3,000 huéspedes en nuestro hotel.We'll be able to accommodate 3,000 guests in our hotel.
b. to house
Este centro de acogida aloja refugiados de la guerra.This shelter houses refugees from the war.
c. to put up (in someone's house)
Te podemos alojar por unas noches mientras estás en la ciudad.We can put you up for a few nights while you're in town.
alojarse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
a. to stay
Hay muchos lugares lindos en donde alojarse en nuestra ciudad.There are many nice places to stay in our city.
b. to be housed
Se alojaron sobrevivientes del huracán Katrina por todo el estado.Survivors of Hurricane Katrina were housed all across the state.
a. to get lodged
Un hueso de pescado se alojó en la garganta de la anciana y la llevaron a la sala de emergencias.A fishbone got lodged in the elderly woman's throat and she was taken to the emergency room.
albergar(
ahl
-
behr
-
gahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
1. (to shelter)
a. to house
Este edificio alberga a los empleados y a sus familias.This building houses the employees and their families.
b. to accommodate
Se están construyendo viviendas para albergar a los refugiados.Housing is being built to accommodate the refugees.
c. to be home to
Esta residencia de la tercera edad alberga a más de cien ancianos.This retirement home is home to more than a hundred senior citizens.
2. (to hide)
a. to harbor (United States)
Regionalism used in the United States
El granjero fue acusado de albergar a un fugitivo en el granero.The farmer was charged with harboring a fugitive in his barn.
b. to harbour (United Kingdom)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
Nos chocó saber que los vecinos habían estado albergando a un terrorista todo este tiempo.We were shocked to find our neighbours had been harbouring a terrorist all this time.
3. (to bear)
a. to harbor (United States)
Regionalism used in the United States
La señora alberga mucho resentimiento hacia su exesposo.The woman harbors a lot of resentment toward her ex-husband.
b. to harbour (United Kingdom)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
Creo que Brenda todavía alberga mucho odio hacia el gerente que la echó del trabajo.I think Brenda still harbours a lot of hate towards the manager who fired her.
c. to cherish
La familia todavía alberga la esperanza de que John mejore.The family still cherishes the hope that John will get better.
4. (to contain)
albergarse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
a. to shelter
Hombres, mujeres y niños se albergaron en el refugio.Men, women, and children sheltered at the refuge.
b. to take refuge
Nos albergamos en una cueva hasta que pasó la tormenta.We took refuge in a cave until the storm passed.
