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"Instituto" is a noun which is often translated as "institute", and "institución" is a noun which is often translated as "institution". Learn more about the difference between "instituto" and "institución" below.
el instituto(
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)A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
a. institute
Lo que el país necesita es un instituto nacional de estadística que sea independiente.What our country needs is a national statistics institute that is independent.
a. institute
En 1815 fundó un instituto dedicado a la promoción de las artes.He founded an institute committed to promoting the arts in 1815.
a. high school (United States)
Regionalism used in the United States
¡Claro que conozco a Carlos! ¡Fuimos juntos al instituto!Of course I know Carlos! We went to high school together!
b. secondary school (United Kingdom)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
El señor González me daba mates en el instituto.Mr. González taught me maths in secondary school.
la institución(
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)A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
a. institution
La decisión de expulsar al profesor recayó en manos de la institución educativa.The decision of expelling the teacher fell into the hands of the educational institution.
b. body
La institución bancaria exige que se actúe a nivel global para evitar un desplome bursátil.The banking body requires a global action to avoid a stock market crash.
2. (creation)
a. establishment
Será necesaria la institución de una autoridad reguladora para luchar contra la evasión fiscal.The establishment of a regulatory authority will be necessary to combat tax fraud.
3. (colloquial) (tradition)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
a. institution
Derribar la institución de la tauramaquia es un paso hacia delante en la lucha contra la crueldad animal.Bringing down the bullfighting institution is a step forward in the fight against animal cruelty.
las instituciones
A plural noun indicates that there is more than one person, place, thing, or idea.
a. institutions
Las instituciones de nuestro país velan por los intereses de los ciudadanos.The institutions of our country seek to pursue the citizens' interests.
