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camarero

kah-mah-REH-roh/kamaˈɾeɾo/

waiter

Also: server
NounmA1
Mexico, Central America, Andes
A smiling man dressed as a waiter, wearing a white shirt and black vest, holding a silver tray with a covered dish, standing in a simple restaurant setting.

📝 In Action

Disculpe, camarero, ¿me trae la cuenta, por favor?

A1

Excuse me, waiter, could you bring me the bill, please?

El camarero fue muy atento y nos recomendó un vino excelente.

A2

The waiter was very attentive and recommended an excellent wine.

¿Dónde está el camarero? Necesitamos pedir más pan.

A1

Where is the waiter? We need to order more bread.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • mesero (waiter (common in Latin America))
  • mozo (young waiter/bellhop (regional))

Common Collocations

  • llamar al camarero – to call the waiter
  • propinas para el camarero – tips for the waiter

steward

Also: cabin attendant
NounmB1
A person in a professional uniform, serving as a flight steward, standing in the aisle of an airplane cabin next to a service cart.

📝 In Action

El camarero del barco nos mostró nuestra cabina.

B1

The ship steward showed us our cabin.

Pedimos al camarero del tren que nos trajera mantas extra.

B2

We asked the train attendant to bring us extra blankets.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • auxiliar de vuelo (flight attendant)
  • asistente (assistant/attendant)

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "camarero" in Spanish:

cabin attendant→server→steward→waiter→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: camarero

Question 1 of 2

Which of these is the most polite way to get the attention of a male server in Spain?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
camarera(waitress / female server) — Noun
camarería(comradeship / fellowship) — Noun
cámara(room / chamber) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
guerreroherrero
📚 Etymology▼

The word comes from *cámara*, meaning 'room' or 'chamber'. A *camarero* was originally someone (a servant or attendant) whose job was to serve or look after a room or chamber, which naturally extended to serving people in dining rooms and bars.

First recorded: 15th century

Cognates (Related words)

Portuguese: camareiroItalian: cameriere

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'mesero' or 'camarero' better to use?

Both words mean 'waiter.' 'Camarero' is the standard term in Spain. 'Mesero' is the standard term across most of Latin America. If you are unsure, 'camarero' is generally understood everywhere.

How do I refer to a female server?

You use the feminine form of the noun: 'la camarera' or 'la mesera'.