capitán
“capitán” means “captain” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
captain
Also: leader
📝 In Action
El capitán del equipo marcó el gol de la victoria.
A2The team captain scored the winning goal.
El capitán dio la orden de avanzar.
B1The captain gave the order to advance.
captain
Also: skipper, master
📝 In Action
El capitán del barco anunció que llegaríamos pronto al puerto.
B1The ship's captain announced we would arrive at the port soon.
Les habla el capitán; estamos comenzando nuestro descenso a Madrid.
B1This is your captain speaking; we are beginning our descent into Madrid.
Translate to Spanish
Words that translate to "capitán" in Spanish:
captain→✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: capitán
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'capitán' to refer to the leader of a sports team?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
Comes from Late Latin 'capitaneus', meaning 'chief' or 'prominent'. This itself comes from the Latin word 'caput', which means 'head'. So, a 'capitán' is literally the 'head' of a group.
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between 'capitán' and 'jefe'?
'Capitán' is very specific. It's used for the designated leader of a team (like in sports), a military unit, a ship, or a plane. 'Jefe' is much more general and just means 'boss' or 'chief' in almost any context, like at an office.
How do I make 'capitán' plural?
To talk about more than one captain, you add '-es' at the end: 'los capitanes'. For example, 'Los dos capitanes se saludaron' (The two captains greeted each other).
Is there a female version of 'capitán'?
Yes! For a female captain, you use the word 'capitana'. For example, 'La capitana del equipo es mi hermana' (The team captain is my sister).