Inklingo
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esclavos

/ess-KLAH-bose/

slaves

A storybook illustration showing three figures in simple, drab clothing pulling a heavy stone block with ropes, illustrating forced labor. A single overseer stands near them.

As a noun, esclavos means people held in forced servitude, or slaves.

esclavos(noun)

mB2

slaves

?

people held in forced servitude

Also:

bondsmen

?

historical term

,

thralls

?

literary/historical

📝 In Action

Millones de esclavos fueron transportados a América durante el siglo XVII.

B2

Millions of slaves were transported to America during the 17th century.

La ley buscaba proteger los derechos de los esclavos, aunque no siempre se cumplía.

B2

The law sought to protect the rights of the slaves, although it was not always upheld.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • cautivos (captives)
  • servidores forzados (forced servants)

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • tráfico de esclavos – slave trade
  • liberar a los esclavos – to free the slaves

💡 Grammar Points

Gender Agreement

Since this word refers to men (masculine plural), it uses the masculine form. If you refer to women, you must use the feminine plural form: 'esclavas'.

⭐ Usage Tips

Historical Context

This word carries serious historical weight. Use it respectfully and accurately when discussing the system of slavery (esclavitud).

A simple illustration focusing on a person's wrists bound by a heavy metal shackle, symbolizing the state of being enslaved.

As an adjective, esclavos means being in a state of servitude, or enslaved.

esclavos(adjective)

mB2

enslaved

?

in a state of servitude

Also:

captive

?

held against their will

,

slave-like

?

describing conditions

📝 In Action

Los trabajadores se sentían esclavos de sus deudas.

B2

The workers felt enslaved by their debts.

Durante años, fueron pueblos esclavos bajo el yugo del imperio.

C1

For years, they were enslaved peoples under the empire's yoke.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • sometidos (subjugated)
  • dominados (dominated)

Antonyms

  • liberados (freed)

💡 Grammar Points

Adjective Agreement

As an adjective, 'esclavos' must match the noun it describes in number and gender. Since it ends in '-os', it describes masculine plural nouns (e.g., 'hombres', 'países').

❌ Common Pitfalls

Using the wrong form

Mistake: "Using 'esclavos' to describe a female plural noun (e.g., 'las mujeres esclavos')."

Correction: Use the matching feminine plural form: 'las mujeres esclavas'.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: esclavos

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence uses 'esclavos' as a descriptive word (adjective)?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

esclavo(slave (male, singular)) - noun/adjective
esclava(slave (female, singular)) - noun/adjective
esclavitud(slavery) - noun

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'esclavos' only used for historical contexts?

While it is most common in historical discussions, it is also used today to refer to victims of modern human trafficking or metaphorically to describe people who feel completely controlled by something, like debt or addiction.

What is the difference between 'esclavos' and 'esclavitud'?

'Esclavos' refers to the people (the slaves), while 'esclavitud' refers to the system or condition itself (slavery).