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"Ministry" is a noun which is often translated as "la clerecía", and "department" is a noun which is often translated as "el departamento". Learn more about the difference between "ministry" and "department" below.
ministry(
mih
-
nihs
-
tri
)A noun is a word referring to a person, animal, place, thing, feeling, or idea (e.g., man, dog, house).
1. (profession)
a. la clerecía (F)
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
The ministry is suited only for those of who are of serious religious conviction.La clerecía es adecuada solo para aquellos que tienen una seria convicción religiosa.
b. el sacerdocio (M)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
Pedro felt called to the ministry, so he decided to go to the seminary.Pedro se sintió llamado al sacerdocio y por eso decidió entrar al seminario.
c. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
After graduating from divinity school, Felix entered the ministry.Después de graduarse de la escuela de teología, Félix se hizo sacerdote.
Claude decided to leave politics and go into the ministry.Claude decidió abandonar la política y hacerse clérigo.
2. (service)
a. el ministerio (M)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
During Father Ronaldo's ministry, the church concentrated on providing food and shelter to homeless people.Durante el ministerio del padre Ronaldo, la iglesia se concentró en dar alimentos y abrigo a personas sin hogar.
3. (politics)
a. el ministerio (M)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
Nigel was working in intelligence for the Ministry of Defence.Nigel trabajaba en el servicio de inteligencia para el Ministerio de Defensa.
b. la secretaría (F) (Mexico)
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
Regionalism used in Mexico
Rodolfo imagined himself working for a government ministry after university.Rodolfo soñaba trabajar para una secretaría del gobierno después de la universidad.
department(
dih
-
part
-
mihnt
)A noun is a word referring to a person, animal, place, thing, feeling, or idea (e.g., man, dog, house).
1. (area)
a. el departamento (M)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
Louise works as a business analyst in the sales department.Louise trabaja como analista de negocios en el departamento de ventas.
b. la sección (F)
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
I was promoted and transferred to the marketing department.Me ascendieron y me transfirieron a la sección de marketing.
2. (politics)
a. el ministerio (M)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
The Health Department sent vaccination teams to public schools.El Ministerio de Salud envió equipos de vacunación a las escuelas públicas.
b. la secretaría (F) (Latin America)
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
The spokesperson of the Department of Environment stated that the plague was controlled.El vocero de la Secretaría de Medio Ambiente declaró que la plaga fue controlada.
3. (education)
a. el departamento (M)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
The Spanish department is looking for native Spanish teachers.El departamento de español busca profesores nativo hablantes de español.
a. el departamento (M)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
It's the only department in the region where the population doubled.Es el único departamento de la región cuya población se duplicó.
5. (colloquial) (field)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
a. no direct translation (colloquial)
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
I'm sorry I can't help you with your homework, but math is not my department.Perdón, no puedo ayudarte con la tarea, pero las matemáticas no son lo mío.
Taxes and bills? That's my husband's department.¿Impuestos y facturas? De eso se encarga mi esposo.
