Inklingo
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empleado

/em-pleh-AH-doh/

employee

A person with a friendly expression sitting at a simple wooden desk, actively typing on a laptop, representing a worker earning wages.

Empleado (noun): employee. A person working for wages.

empleado(noun)

mA1

employee

?

a person working for wages

Also:

staff member

?

general term for personnel

📝 In Action

El nuevo empleado de la tienda es muy rápido.

A1

The new employee at the store is very fast.

Todos los empleados recibieron un bono este mes.

A2

All the employees received a bonus this month.

Mi padre es un empleado público en el ayuntamiento.

B1

My father is a public employee at the city hall.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • trabajador (worker)
  • dependiente (salesperson/assistant)

Antonyms

  • empleador (employer)
  • jefe (boss)

Common Collocations

  • empleado del mes – employee of the month
  • empleado a tiempo parcial – part-time employee

💡 Grammar Points

Gender Changes

To talk about a female worker, change the ending to 'a': 'la empleada'. To make it plural, add 's': 'los empleados' (mixed group or all male) or 'las empleadas' (all female).

❌ Common Pitfalls

Confusing 'empleado' and 'empleo'

Mistake: "Using 'Busco un empleado' when you mean 'Busco un empleo'."

Correction: 'Empleo' means the job/position itself, while 'empleado' is the person who holds the job.

⭐ Usage Tips

Formal vs. Informal Titles

While 'trabajador' (worker) is broad, 'empleado' often implies a salaried position with a contract, making it slightly more professional.

A smiling person dressed in neat business clothes standing confidently and holding a closed briefcase, symbolizing the state of having a job.

Empleado (adjective): employed. Having a job.

empleado(adjective)

mB1

employed

?

having a job

,

used

?

put into service or action

Also:

utilized

?

formal use

📝 In Action

El tiempo empleado en este proyecto fue mínimo.

B1

The time used (or spent) on this project was minimal.

Las técnicas empleadas son muy avanzadas.

B2

The techniques used are very advanced.

Él está empleado en una gran compañía de tecnología.

B1

He is employed at a large technology company.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • desempleado (unemployed)
  • desperdiciado (wasted)

Common Collocations

  • recursos empleados – resources used

💡 Grammar Points

Agreement is Key

As an adjective, 'empleado' must change its ending to match the noun it describes in both number (singular/plural) and gender (masculine/feminine). Example: 'la herramienta empleada' (the tool used).

Origin as a Verb Form

'Empleado' is the 'past participle' of the verb 'emplear' (to use/to employ). This means it can also be combined with 'haber' to form perfect tenses: 'Hemos empleado mucho esfuerzo' (We have used a lot of effort).

❌ Common Pitfalls

Forgetting Agreement

Mistake: "Saying 'las horas empleado' (incorrect agreement)."

Correction: It must agree with 'horas' (feminine plural): 'las horas empleadas'.

⭐ Usage Tips

Using 'Estar' vs. 'Ser'

Use 'estar' (to be) when describing someone's current state of having a job: 'Él está empleado' (He is employed right now). Use 'ser' (to be) less often, usually for permanent status.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: empleado

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence uses 'empleado' as a noun (the person)?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

emplear(to employ, to use) - verb
empleo(job, employment) - noun
empleada(female employee) - noun
desempleado(unemployed) - adjective

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'empleado' only used for office workers?

No. 'Empleado' is a very broad term for anyone working for a salary. It can refer to a retail worker, a technician, or an office manager. It simply means 'someone who is employed'.

What is the difference between 'empleado' and 'trabajador'?

'Empleado' focuses on the contractual relationship (being hired by someone), while 'trabajador' is a general term for anyone who works, regardless of their employment status (it could include a freelancer or a self-employed person).