institución
nounCEFR B2
What does “institución” mean in English?
institution — an established organisation or system, especially in public life
institution — an established organisation or system, especially in public life (confianza en las instituciones; institución educativa)
Example sentences
La confianza en las instituciones democráticas es un indicador clave de la salud política de un país.
Trust in democratic institutions is a key indicator of a country's political health.
El Banco Central Europeo es la principal institución financiera de la zona euro.
The European Central Bank is the main financial institution of the eurozone.
Los partidos de fútbol del domingo se han convertido en una auténtica institución para las familias del barrio.
Sunday football matches have become a genuine institution for the families in the neighbourhood.
How to use it
La institución (noun, feminine) refers to an established organisation or system, especially in public life. Key collocations: confianza en las instituciones; institución educativa/financiera/democrática; representante de la institución; institución de referencia. The adjective institucional is very frequent at B2. Distinguish from organismo (a specific administrative body) and entidad (a formal entity). La institución can also describe a deeply embedded custom (el fútbol es una institución en España).
Common mistake
Institución (broad concept) ≠ organismo (specific administrative body, e.g. organismo regulador). Institucional (adjective) is key at B2: discurso institucional, marco institucional. 'To institutionalise' = institucionalizar. Don't say *institutional when writing in Spanish — the Spanish adjective is institucional.