emperador
/em-peh-rah-DOR/
emperor
Emperador means 'emperor,' a supreme male ruler.
📝 In Action
El emperador gobernó el vasto imperio durante cuarenta años.
A2The emperor ruled the vast empire for forty years.
La caída del emperador marcó el fin de una era.
B1The fall of the emperor marked the end of an era.
💡 Grammar Points
Gender Pair
The feminine equivalent is 'emperatriz' (empress). Remember to change the article ('el' or 'la') to match the gender.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing Titles
Mistake: "Using 'rey' (king) when referring to the ruler of an 'imperio' (empire)."
Correction: An 'emperador' rules an 'imperio,' which is generally a larger and more powerful domain than a 'reino' (kingdom) ruled by a 'rey.'
⭐ Usage Tips
Formal Context
This word is generally reserved for historical discussions, fantasy, or highly formal diplomatic language, as the title is rare today.
In Spanish cuisine, emperador can also refer to the swordfish.
📝 In Action
Pedimos un filete de emperador a la plancha para cenar.
B2We ordered a grilled swordfish fillet for dinner.
El emperador es un pescado blanco muy popular en la costa.
B2Swordfish is a very popular white fish on the coast.
⭐ Usage Tips
Context is Key
If you are in a restaurant in Spain and see 'emperador' on the menu, it means the fish, not a historical ruler!
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: emperador
Question 1 of 2
¿Cuál es la forma femenina de 'emperador'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'emperador' only used for historical figures?
Mostly, yes. While the title still exists in a few places (like Japan), it is primarily used in Spanish when discussing ancient history (like the Roman or Inca empires) or in fiction.
How is 'emperador' different from 'rey' (king)?
An 'emperador' typically rules an 'imperio' (empire), which is usually a collection of different territories or kingdoms. A 'rey' rules a single 'reino' (kingdom).