funcionario

foon-syo-NAH-ryoh/funθjoˈnaɾjo/

“funcionario” means “civil servant” in Spanish (a person who works for the government).

civil servant, public official

Also: government employee

NounmB1

Spain

A friendly government employee in a formal vest helping a citizen at a clean wooden desk in a public office.

📝 In Action

Mi tío es funcionario y trabaja en el ayuntamiento.

My uncle is a civil servant and works at the city hall.

Para ser funcionario en España, hay que aprobar un examen difícil llamado oposición.

To become a government employee in Spain, you have to pass a difficult exam called an 'oposición'.

El funcionario de aduanas revisó mis documentos.

The customs official checked my documents.

Word Connections

Synonyms

empleado público (public employee)
servidor público (public servant)

Antonyms

empleado privado (private sector employee)
autónomo (self-employed)

Common Collocations

funcionario de carrera – career civil servant (tenured)
alto funcionario – high-ranking official
funcionario de prisiones – prison officer

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "funcionario" in Spanish:

civil servant→government employee→public official→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: funcionario

Question 1 of 3

Where would you most likely find a 'funcionario' working?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼

funcionar(to work/function) — Verb

función(function/role) — Noun

funcionamiento(operation/working) — Noun

funcional(functional) — Adjective

🎵 Rhymes▼

calendario diccionario necesario

📚 Etymology▼

From the Latin word 'functio', which means 'to perform a duty' or 'to execute a task'. It shares the same root as the English word 'function'.

First recorded: 18th century

Cognates (Related words)

French: fonctionnaireItalian: funzionarioPortuguese: funcionário

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does 'funcionario' only mean someone behind a desk?

No. It includes anyone working for the state, including police officers, teachers in public schools, and postal workers.

Is being a 'funcionario' a good thing in Spain?

Yes, it is highly valued because it usually means you have a job for life and a steady salary that is guaranteed by the government.

Is there a difference between 'funcionario' and 'empleado público'?

While often used as synonyms, a 'funcionario' usually has a permanent, fixed position after passing an exam, while 'empleado público' is a broader term that can include temporary workers too.