This is an essential question to know in case of emergencies, travel, or supporting someone in need.
Lets look at “Where Is the Hospital?” in Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, German, French
Spanish
1. Word Overview
- Native Phrase: ¿Dónde está el hospital?
- English Translation: Where is the hospital?
- Part of Speech: Interrogative sentence
- Gender: Hospital is masculine (el hospital)
- IPA Pronunciation: /ˈdon.de esˈta el os.piˈtal/
2. Example Sentence
- ¿Dónde está el hospital más cercano?
- Where is the nearest hospital?
Use más cercano to ask for the nearest location. Está is the third-person singular of the verb estar (to be, location).
3. Mini Grammar or Culture Note
“¿Dónde está…?” is the standard way to ask for locations. Hospitals are almost always referred to with the masculine article el.
4. Daily Practice Challenge
Imagine you’re in a city abroad. Say aloud: ¿Dónde está el hospital? ¿Dónde está la farmacia?
Italian
1. Word Overview
- Native Phrase: Dov’è l’ospedale?
- English Translation: Where is the hospital?
- Part of Speech: Interrogative sentence
- Gender: Ospedale is masculine (l’ospedale)
- IPA Pronunciation: /doˈvɛ lɔspeˈdaːle/
2. Example Sentence
- Mi scusi, dov’è l’ospedale più vicino?
- Excuse me, where is the nearest hospital?
Dov’è is the contraction of dove è (“where is”). It’s common and correct.
3. Mini Grammar or Culture Note
Use l’ before vowels in Italian for smoother pronunciation. This phrase works in both formal and informal settings.
4. Daily Practice Challenge
Write out the phrase: Dov’è l’ospedale? and replace ospedale with 2–3 other places (e.g., farmacia, banca).
Portuguese
1. Word Overview
- Native Phrase: Onde fica o hospital?
- English Translation: Where is the hospital?
- Part of Speech: Interrogative sentence
- Gender: Hospital is masculine (o hospital)
- IPA Pronunciation: /ˈõ.dʒi ˈfi.kɐ u os.piˈtaw/
2. Example Sentence
- Com licença, onde fica o hospital mais próximo?
- Excuse me, where is the nearest hospital?
Fica comes from the verb ficar (“to be located”), used in Brazil more than estar for places.
3. Mini Grammar or Culture Note
Both Onde é and Onde fica are understood, but fica is more natural in Brazilian Portuguese.
4. Daily Practice Challenge
Practice saying: Onde fica o hospital? Then change hospital to supermercado or padaria.
German
1. Word Overview
- Native Phrase: Wo ist das Krankenhaus?
- English Translation: Where is the hospital?
- Part of Speech: Interrogative sentence
- Gender: Krankenhaus is neuter (das Krankenhaus)
- IPA Pronunciation: /voː ɪst das ˈkʁaŋ.kənˌhaʊs/
2. Example Sentence
- Entschuldigung, wo ist das nächste Krankenhaus?
- Excuse me, where is the nearest hospital?
Krankenhaus literally means “sick house” in German.
3. Mini Grammar or Culture Note
Add nächste (next/nearest) before the place name for clarity. Germans often begin with Entschuldigung (excuse me) in polite requests.
4. Daily Practice Challenge
Say: Wo ist das Krankenhaus? Try substituting Krankenhaus with Bahnhof (train station).
French
1. Word Overview
- Native Phrase: Où est l’hôpital ?
- English Translation: Where is the hospital?
- Part of Speech: Interrogative sentence
- Gender: Hôpital is masculine (l’hôpital)
- IPA Pronunciation: /u ɛ l‿ɔ.pi.tal/
2. Example Sentence
- Pardon, où est l’hôpital le plus proche ?
- Excuse me, where is the nearest hospital?
The h in hôpital is silent; l’ is used to avoid a hiatus.
3. Mini Grammar or Culture Note
In French, the article l’ is used before vowel sounds to ease pronunciation. Le plus proche means “the closest.”
4. Daily Practice Challenge
Practice out loud: Où est l’hôpital ? Try swapping in: Où est la pharmacie ?
Multilingual Bonus Table
| Language | Phrase | IPA Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Spanish | ¿Dónde está el hospital? | /ˈdon.de esˈta el os.piˈtal/ |
| Italian | Dov’è l’ospedale? | /doˈvɛ lɔspeˈdaːle/ |
| Portuguese | Onde fica o hospital? | /ˈõ.dʒi ˈfi.kɐ u os.piˈtaw/ |
| German | Wo ist das Krankenhaus? | /voː ɪst das ˈkʁaŋ.kənˌhaʊs/ |
| French | Où est l’hôpital ? | /u ɛ l‿ɔ.pi.tal/ |