decano
deh-KAH-noh
/deˈkano/
A dean is the head of a university faculty or college.
decano(Noun)
dean
?head of a university faculty or college
head
?leader of a specific professional group
📝 In Action
El decano de la facultad de leyes entregó los diplomas.
B2The dean of the law school handed out the diplomas.
Necesitas la firma del decano para cambiar de curso.
B2You need the dean's signature to change courses.
💡 Grammar Points
People and Gender
This word describes a man. If you are talking about a woman in this position, you use 'decana'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
School vs. University
Mistake: “Using 'decano' for a high school principal.”
Correction: Use 'director' for schools. 'Decano' is specifically for university departments or professional associations.
⭐ Usage Tips
Academic Context
In Spanish-speaking universities, the 'decano' is the highest authority of a specific 'facultad' (like the Faculty of Arts), not the whole university.
A senior member is the person who has been in a group for the longest time.
decano(Noun)
senior member
?the person who has been in a group the longest
doyen
?the most respected senior figure in a field
📝 In Action
Es el decano de los periodistas deportivos en el país.
C1He is the senior member of the sports journalists in the country.
💡 Grammar Points
Seniority vs. Age
This word focuses on how long someone has been doing a job, not necessarily how old they are.
⭐ Usage Tips
Honorific Use
Use this word when you want to show deep respect for someone's long career.
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: decano
Question 1 of 1
If someone is the 'decano' of a law firm, what does that mean?
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'decano' the same as a 'rector'?
No. A 'rector' is the head of the entire university, while a 'decano' is only the head of one specific department or faculty.
Can I use 'decano' for a woman?
Usually, you would change it to 'decana' when referring to a woman.