asilo
/aˈsilo/masculine
The English word asylum can be translated into Spanish as asilo. Wiktionary also lists santuario.
Meaning: place of safety (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| asilo | /aˈsilo/ | masculine |
| santuario | /sanˈtwaɾjo/ | masculine |
Asilo is a masculine noun meaning a place of safety. In legal contexts, the phrase asilo político is the standard term used to mean political asylum. You may also encounter asilo de ancianos, which is a common way to refer to a nursing home or a home for the elderly.
Which one should you use?
Use santuario if you want to describe a place of safety or refuge in a positive, spiritual or protective sense without the stigma of an institution.
How do you pronounce it?
/aˈsilo/
Did you know?
- Unlike English, where 'asylum' is heavily linked to psychiatric hospitals in a historical sense, Spanish uses manicomio for those institutions, leaving asilo for a broader range of shelters.
- The word asilo comes from the Ancient Greek ásulon, which literally meant 'not subject to seizure' or 'inviolable'.
- In some historical contexts in Latin America, the concept of asilo was applied to diplomatic embassies, where a person could claim 'diplomatic asylum' to avoid extradition.
Examples in context
- Han construido un asilo para ciegos.They built an asylum for the blind.The first sentence uses asilo to describe a building for the blind.Tatoeba #2259538 by cueyayotl, translation #2259537 by _undertoad
- Este mundo es tan sólo un asilo de dementes.This world is just an insane asylum.The second sentence uses asilo to describe a world for the insane.Tatoeba #1295111 by marcelostockle, translation #736710 by stoney
- La embajada les negó el asilo político a los refugiados extranjeros.The embassy denied political asylum to foreign refugees.The third sentence uses asilo within the phrase asilo político to describe the legal status of refugees.Tatoeba #2141477 by marcelostockle, translation #275706 by CM
- El solicitante de asilo presentó su caso al tribunal migratorio.The asylum seeker presented their case to the immigration court.
- La solicitud de refugio está en proceso de revisión por las autoridades competentes.The asylum application is under review by the competent authorities.
- Él busca amparo en otro país debido a la persecución política.He seeks asylum in another country due to political persecution.
- Ella pidió protección en la embajada tras escapar de su país de origen.She sought asylum at the embassy after escaping her home country.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about a very chaotic and crazy workplace.
- JavierEsta oficina es un asilo.This office is an asylum.
- ElenaTienes razón, Javier, todos están locos.You're right, Javier, everyone is crazy.
- JavierParece un asilo de dementes aquí.It seems like a madhouse in here.
- ElenaNo puedo creer que trabajemos aquí.I can't believe we work here.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “asylum” translations and entries asilo, santuario, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries asilo, santuario, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
