ganador
“ganador” means “winner” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
winner
Also: champion, victor
📝 In Action
El ganador de la carrera levantó el trofeo.
A2The winner of the race lifted the trophy.
¿Quién fue el ganador del debate anoche?
B1Who was the winner of the debate last night?
El equipo necesita un ganador, no solo un buen jugador.
B2The team needs a winner, not just a good player.
winning
Also: successful
📝 In Action
Tienen un espíritu ganador que los impulsa.
B1They have a winning spirit that drives them.
Esta estrategia no es ganadora; necesitamos cambiarla.
B2This strategy is not a winning one; we need to change it.
El equipo visitante tuvo el tiro ganador en el último segundo.
B1The visiting team had the winning shot in the last second.
Translate to Spanish
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: ganador
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses the feminine form of the word?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
The word 'ganador' comes directly from the Spanish verb 'ganar' (to win or earn). This verb has ancient Germanic roots, linked to words about working the land and acquiring sustenance, which later evolved in Romance languages to mean 'to acquire' or 'to achieve victory.'
First recorded: 15th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do I make 'ganador' feminine or plural?
To make it feminine, change the 'o' to an 'a': 'ganadora.' To make either form plural, just add 'es': 'ganadores' (m. plural) or 'ganadoras' (f. plural).
Is 'ganador' only used for sports?
No. While very common in sports, you can use 'ganador' to describe success in any field—business, politics, debates, or even just having a 'winning attitude' ('actitud ganadora').