Inklingo
← Dictionary
A friendly mail carrier in a blue uniform delivering a letter to a mailbox.

cartero

kar-TEH-roh

nounmA1
mail carrier?general profession,postman?traditional term
Also:mailman?informal speech

📝 In Action

El cartero dejó las cartas en el buzón.

A1

The mail carrier left the letters in the mailbox.

Esperamos al cartero todas las mañanas.

A1

We wait for the mailman every morning.

Mi tío trabajó como cartero durante treinta años.

A2

My uncle worked as a postman for thirty years.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • repartidor de correos (mail deliverer)
  • valijero (person who carries the mailbag)

Common Collocations

  • cartero real – The Royal Page (who collects letters for the Three Kings)
  • servicio de cartero – mail carrier service

💡 Grammar Points

Gender in job titles

This word uses the '-ero' ending because it refers to a man. For a woman, you change the ending to '-era', making it 'la cartera'.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Confusing 'cartero' and 'cartera'

Mistake: "Using 'el cartero' to mean 'the wallet'."

Correction: Always use 'la cartera' for 'wallet' or 'purse'. 'El cartero' only refers to the person delivering mail.

⭐ Usage Tips

Who brings the packages?

While a 'cartero' delivers letters and small items via the national post, people often use the word 'repartidor' for private delivery drivers like those from Amazon or FedEx.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: cartero

Question 1 of 2

What is the primary job of a 'cartero'?

📚 More Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'cartero' used for email too?

No, 'cartero' only refers to the person who delivers physical, paper mail. For email, we use 'correo electrónico'.

Does 'cartero' ever mean 'wallet'?

No, 'cartero' is only the person. 'Cartera' (the feminine form) means wallet, purse, or briefcase.