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"Lenguaje" is a noun which is often translated as "language", and "comunicación" is a noun which is often translated as "communication". Learn more about the difference between "lenguaje" and "comunicación" below.
el lenguaje(
lehng
-
gwah
-
heh
)A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
1. (general)
a. language
El lenguaje utilizado por el autor refleja su preferencia por la cultura francesa.The language used by the author reflects his preference for French culture.
b. speech
La obra de Juan Rulfo logra capturar el lenguaje de los campesinos mexicanos.Juan Rulfo's writing manages to capture the speech of rural Mexican workers.
la comunicación(
koh
-
moo
-
nee
-
kah
-
syohn
)A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
a. communication
Hubo problemas de comunicación porque yo no hablaba alemán y él no hablaba español.There were communication problems because I didn't speak German and he didn't speak Spanish.
2. (connection)
a. link
Existen buenas comunicaciones por ferrocarril entre Portland y Seattle.There are good rail links between Portland and Seattle.
3. (interface)
a. contact
Dice que está en comunicación con los espíritus de los muertos.She says she is in contact with the spirits of dead people.
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Recibí una llamada pero se cortó la comunicación y no supe quién era.I had a call but it was cut off so I don't know who it was.
Intenté varias veces pero no fue posible establecer la comunicación.I tried several times but I couldn't get through.
a. paper
En la conferencia presentó una comunicación sobre creaciones artísticas de pacientes psicóticos.She presented a paper at the conference on artistic creations by psychotic patients.
6. (formal) (document)
A word or phrase used to refer to the second person formal “usted” by their conjugation or implied context (e.g., usted).
a. communication (formal)
A word or phrase used to refer to the second person formal “usted” by their conjugation or implied context (e.g., usted).
Recibió una comunicación oficial de la empresa informándole su despido.He received an official communication from the company informing him of his dismissal.
b. communiqué
La comunicación emitida tras la reunión cumbre señalaba que se había avanzado hacia un acuerdo.The communiqué issued after the summit noted that progress had been made toward an agreement.
las comunicaciones
A plural noun indicates that there is more than one person, place, thing, or idea.
a. communications (plural)
La empresa tiene su propia red de comunicaciones que abastece a sus 450 tiendas.The company has its own communications network serving its 450 stores.
