empleado
“empleado” means “employee” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
employee
Also: staff member
📝 In Action
El nuevo empleado de la tienda es muy rápido.
A1The new employee at the store is very fast.
Todos los empleados recibieron un bono este mes.
A2All the employees received a bonus this month.
Mi padre es un empleado público en el ayuntamiento.
B1My father is a public employee at the city hall.
employed, used
Also: utilized
📝 In Action
El tiempo empleado en este proyecto fue mínimo.
B1The time used (or spent) on this project was minimal.
Las técnicas empleadas son muy avanzadas.
B2The techniques used are very advanced.
Él está empleado en una gran compañía de tecnología.
B1He is employed at a large technology company.
Translate to Spanish
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: empleado
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'empleado' as a noun (the person)?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
The word comes from the Latin verb *implicāre*, meaning 'to fold in, wrap up, or engage'. In Spanish, this evolved to mean 'to involve someone in work' or 'to put something to use'.
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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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).