contratado
/kohn-trah-TAH-doh/
hired
Showing the status of being accepted for a job, this person is hired.
contratado(adjective)
hired
?describing a person's status
contracted
?describing a service or arrangement
📝 In Action
El jardinero fue contratado para trabajar tres días a la semana.
A2The gardener was hired to work three days a week.
La consultoría contratada presentó su informe final hoy.
B1The contracted consultancy presented its final report today.
Asegúrate de que los servicios contratados cumplan con la normativa.
B2Make sure that the contracted services comply with the regulations.
💡 Grammar Points
Gender and Number Agreement
Since 'contratado' is an adjective here, it must always match the noun it describes in gender (masculine/feminine) and number (singular/plural): 'la persona contratada', 'los equipos contratados'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Origin as a Past Action
Remember that 'contratado' comes from the verb 'contratar' (to hire). When used as an adjective, it describes the RESULT of that action: someone who IS hired.
An employee is a person who has been hired to work for a company.
contratado(noun)
employee
?a person who has been hired
contractor
?A professional working under a specific contract
📝 In Action
Cada nuevo contratado debe firmar un acuerdo de confidencialidad.
B1Every new employee must sign a confidentiality agreement.
Los contratados temporales no reciben los mismos beneficios que los fijos.
B2Temporary contractors do not receive the same benefits as permanent ones.
💡 Grammar Points
Adjective acting as Noun
This is a common pattern in Spanish: taking an adjective (like 'hired') and using it as a noun (like 'the hired one' or 'the employee'). You just need to add an article ('el', 'la', 'un', 'una') in front.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: contratado
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'contratado' as a noun (referring to a person)?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'contratado' only used for people?
No. While it often refers to an employee, it is the past participle of 'contratar' (to contract), so it can describe anything that has been agreed upon or secured by contract, such as 'servicios contratados' (contracted services) or 'un seguro contratado' (a contracted insurance policy).
How is 'contratado' different from 'empleado'?
'Contratado' specifically emphasizes the action of being hired or the existence of a contract. 'Empleado' is a more general term for 'employee' or 'worker' and is usually the preferred noun in casual conversation.