Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| orfanato | /oɾfaˈnato/ | masculine |
| orfelinato | /oɾfeliˈnato/ | masculine |
| orfanatorio | /oɾfanatoɾjo/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
| casa de expósitos | /kasa de eɡspositos/ (from spelling rules) | feminine |
| inclusa | /inˈklusa/ | feminine |
An orphanage is a residential institution used for the care and protection of orphans. In Spanish, you can use orfanato to refer to such an institution or the synonym albergue de niños huérfanos (shelter for orphaned children).
What does it mean word for word?
The noun orfanato is derived from the word huérfano, which means "orphan".
Which one should you use?
While several words exist for an orphanage, orfanato is the most common and standard term. The words orfelinato and orfanatorio are less common synonyms for orfanato. The term casa de expósitos specifically refers to a home for foundlings, or abandoned infants.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For formal or official contexts, you may use Hogar de niños huérfanos (home for orphaned children), Centro de acogida de menores sin familia (center for children without a family) or Casa cuna (cradle house). The term casa de expósitos carries a more formal or historical register.
How does it change in a sentence?
The forms orfanato, orfelinato and orfanatorio are masculine nouns. The forms casa de expósitos and inclusa are feminine.
How do you pronounce it?
/oɾfaˈnato/
Did you know?
- The word expósitos in casa de expósitos comes from the Latin verb 'exponere', meaning 'to place outside' or 'to expose'.
- In some historical contexts, inclusas were managed by religious orders and functioned as both an orphanage and a hospital for the poor.
- The term centro de acogida is the modern preference in Spain and Latin America to avoid the stigma associated with the older word orfanato.
Examples in context
- Tom creció en un orfanato.Tom grew up in an orphanage.This sentence uses orfanato to describe someone's upbringing.Tatoeba #2191189 by marcelostockle, translation #1093898 by CK
- Fui criado en un orfanato en Boston.I was raised in an orphanage in Boston.This sentence uses orfanato to describe where someone was raised.Tatoeba #1251971 by hayastan, translation #953711 by CK
- Algunas almas caritativas hicieron unas donaciones exhorbitadas que ayudaron a salvar el orfanato.Some generous souls made exorbitant donations that helped save the orphanage.This sentence uses orfanato in the context of charitable donations.Tatoeba #9688007 by Shishir, translation #10113810 by DJ_Saidez
- Mi hermana trabaja en un hogar de niños huérfanos.My sister works in an orphanage.
- Muchas veces, la gente olvida la importancia de los hogares de niños sin padres.Often, people forget the importance of homes for children without parents.
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mateo and María are talking about their childhoods.
- MateoYo viví en un orfanato hasta los diez años.I lived in an orphanage until I was ten years old.
- MaríaNo sabía que habías estado en un orfanato, Mateo.I didn't know you had been in an orphanage, Mateo.
- MateoSí, pero tuve maestros muy buenos allí.Yes, but I had very good teachers there.
- MaríaMe alegra que tuvieras un lugar seguro.I'm glad you had a safe place.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “orphanage” translations and entries orfanato, orfelinato, orfanatorio, inclusa, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
