Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| asilo de ancianos | /aˌsilo de anˈθjanos/ /aˌsilo de anˈsjanos/ |
masculine |
| hogar de ancianos | /oɡaɾ de anθjanos/ (Spain, from spelling rules) /oɡaɾ de ansjanos/ (Latin America, from spelling rules) |
masculine |
| casa de reposo | /kasa de ɾeposo/ (from spelling rules) | feminine |
These terms are used to describe a housing facility for the elderly.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase asilo de ancianos literally translates to asylum of old people.
Which one should you use?
While asilo de ancianos is a common way to refer to a retirement home, it can sometimes carry a slightly more negative or institutional connotation, similar to the English words asylum or poorhouse. For a softer and more polite alternative, use hogar de ancianos, as hogar means home. If you want to use a more formal or euphemistic term, you can use casa de reposo, which literally means house of rest.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, the term Residencia geriátrica is commonly used. In Latin America, particularly in Mexico, Casa hogar is often used to denote a retirement home.
How does it change in a sentence?
To make the phrase asilo de ancianos plural, you change the first noun to asilos de ancianos. Similarly, to make casa de reposo plural, you change the first noun to casas de reposo.
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, the term casa hogar is common, but it can sometimes refer to an orphanage rather than a retirement home.
- The Spanish word hogar is a distant relative of the English word 'foyer'. Both words trace their origins back to the Latin word focus, meaning 'hearth'.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, referring to a facility as an asilo can imply that the residents are there because they have no family to care for them.
Examples in context
- La residencia de ancianos cuenta con personal calificado y servicios especializados.The retirement home features qualified staff and specialized services.
- Mi abuela disfruta de la tranquilidad de su casa de reposo.My grandmother enjoys the tranquility of her retirement home.
- El asilo de ancianos ofrece actividades recreativas y compañerismo a sus residentes.The retirement home offers recreational activities and companionship to its residents.
- La residencia geriátrica brinda atención personalizada y actividades recreativas a los residentes.The retirement home provides personalized care and recreational activities to residents.
- En la casa hogar, los adultos mayores se sienten cuidados y protegidos.In the retirement home, older adults feel cared for and protected.
- El asilo de ancianos es muy tranquilo.The retirement home is very quiet.
- Buscamos un asilo de ancianos en esta ciudad.We are looking for a retirement home in this city.
- Mi abuelo vive en un asilo de ancianos.My grandfather lives in a retirement home.
Example conversation
Lucía and Alejandro are discussing care options for a relative.
- Lucía¿Conoces algún buen asilo de ancianos?Do you know any good retirement home?
- AlejandroSí, conozco uno muy acogedor para tu abuelo.Yes, I know a very cozy one for your grandfather.
- LucíaEso suena perfecto para él.That sounds perfect for him.
- AlejandroMañana podemos ir a visitarlo.We can go visit it tomorrow.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “retirement home” translations and entries asilo de ancianos, 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.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries asilo, casa, de, hogar, reposo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
