emperador
“emperador” means “emperor” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
emperor
Also: sovereign
📝 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.
swordfish
Also: emperor fish
📝 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.
Translate to Spanish
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: emperador
Question 1 of 2
¿Cuál es la forma femenina de 'emperador'?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
Comes directly from the Latin word *imperator*, which originally meant 'commander' or 'general' in the Roman army. This title was later adopted by the supreme rulers of Rome, and eventually, the word came to mean the highest male ruler of an empire.
First recorded: 13th century (in Spanish)
Cognates (Related words)
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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).