escolta

/es-KOHL-tah/

bodyguard

A person in a professional suit with an earpiece standing alert behind a VIP.

In this context, 'escolta' refers to a bodyguard assigned to protect a person.

escolta(noun)

m or fB1

bodyguard

a person assigned to protect someone

Also:

escort

a person accompanying another for protection

📝 In Action

El presidente camina rodeado por su escolta.

The president walks surrounded by his bodyguard.

Ella trabaja como escolta privada para actores famosos.

She works as a private bodyguard for famous actors.

Word Connections

Synonyms

guardaespaldas (bodyguard)
custodio (custodian/guard)

Common Collocations

escolta privada – private security/bodyguard
servicio de escolta – escort service (security context)

💡 Grammar Points

One Word, Two Genders

When referring to a person, this word doesn't change its ending. Use 'el escolta' for a man and 'la escolta' for a woman.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Avoid 'Escolto' or 'Escolta'

Mistake: "Calling a female guard 'la escolta' and a male guard 'el escolto'."

Correction: The word always ends in -a. Just change the 'el' or 'la' at the start.

⭐ Usage Tips

Professional Tone

'Escolta' sounds more professional and official than 'guardaespaldas', which is the more casual word for bodyguard.

A motorcade of several black vehicles driving together in a line on a road.

Here, 'escolta' represents an escort or a group of vehicles providing protection.

escolta(noun)

fB2

escort

a group of vehicles or people providing protection

Also:

convoy

a protective group moving together

📝 In Action

La escolta policial acompañó al camión de dinero.

The police escort accompanied the money truck.

Word Connections

Synonyms

comitiva (entourage)
convoy (convoy)

Common Collocations

escolta de honor – honor guard

💡 Grammar Points

Collective Noun

When referring to the group as a whole (like a convoy), it is always feminine: 'la escolta'.

A basketball player in a jersey jumping to shoot a ball into a hoop.

In a sports context, 'escolta' is the shooting guard position in basketball.

escolta(noun)

m or fC1

shooting guard

basketball position

📝 In Action

El equipo necesita un escolta con buen tiro de tres puntos.

The team needs a shooting guard with a good three-point shot.

Word Connections

Common Collocations

jugar de escolta – to play as a shooting guard

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: escolta

Question 1 of 2

If you are talking about a female bodyguard, how do you say it?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

escoltar(to escort/guard) - verb

escoltado(escorted) - adjective

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'escolta' the same as 'guardaespaldas'?

Yes, they both mean 'bodyguard'. However, 'escolta' is often used for official or military protection, while 'guardaespaldas' is more common in everyday conversation.

Can 'escolta' be a verb?

Yes! While this entry focuses on the noun, 'escolta' is also a form of the verb 'escoltar' (he/she escorts or you escort).