alférez
“alférez” means “ensign” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
ensign, second lieutenant
Also: junior officer
📝 In Action
Mi primo acaba de graduarse y ya es alférez de la marina.
B2My cousin just graduated and is now a navy ensign.
La alférez García recibió una medalla por su valentía.
B2Second Lieutenant García received a medal for her bravery.
El alférez es el primer grado de la escala de oficiales.
C1An ensign/second lieutenant is the first rank in the officer scale.
standard-bearer
📝 In Action
El alférez real portaba el estandarte del rey durante la batalla.
C1The royal standard-bearer carried the king's banner during the battle.
Translate to Spanish
Words that translate to "alférez" in Spanish:
ensign→junior officer→second lieutenant→standard-bearer→✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: alférez
Question 1 of 3
What is the plural form of 'el alférez'?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
From the Arabic word 'al-fāris', which means 'the horseman' or 'the knight'. It originally referred to a cavalry officer before becoming a general military rank.
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is an 'alférez' high ranking?
No, it is typically the lowest rank for a commissioned officer, similar to a Second Lieutenant in the US Army or an Ensign in the US Navy.
Do people use this word in everyday conversation?
Only if they are talking about the military or history. It's not a common word in casual daily life.
Is the stress on the first or second syllable?
The stress is on the second syllable (al-FÉ-rez), which is why it has a written accent mark.