Inklingo
← Dictionary
A tall, muscular figure wearing a dark suit stands close to a smaller person in everyday clothes, looking alert and protective. This illustrates a bodyguard.

guardaespaldas

gwar-des-PAL-das

NounmB1
bodyguard?personal security detail
Also:personal security guard?hired specifically for protection

📝 In Action

El famoso actor contrató un guardaespaldas nuevo.

A2

The famous actor hired a new bodyguard.

Los guardaespaldas rodearon al político cuando salió del coche.

B1

The bodyguards surrounded the politician when he got out of the car.

Ella es mi guardaespaldas personal; se llama Rosa.

B1

She is my personal bodyguard; her name is Rosa.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • contratar un guardaespaldas – to hire a bodyguard
  • el equipo de guardaespaldas – the team of bodyguards

💡 Grammar Points

A Word That Doesn't Change

This word is a combination of a verb ('guarda' - to guard) and a plural noun ('espaldas' - backs). Because of this structure, 'guardaespaldas' always stays the same, regardless of whether you mean one person or many people.

Making it Plural

To show you are talking about more than one bodyguard, you only change the article (the little word before it): 'el guardaespaldas' (singular) becomes 'los guardaespaldas' (plural).

❌ Common Pitfalls

Trying to Add an 'S'

Mistake: "Using 'guardaespaldases' for the plural."

Correction: The word is already 'plural' in its structure, so you must keep it as 'guardaespaldas' and only change the article or adjective: 'los guardaespaldas'.

⭐ Usage Tips

Gender Flexibility

Even if the bodyguard is female, the word itself often uses the masculine article ('el guardaespaldas'), though using the feminine article ('la guardaespaldas') is also accepted and common.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: guardaespaldas

Question 1 of 1

Which sentence correctly uses the plural form of 'guardaespaldas'?

📚 More Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

If the bodyguard is a woman, do I say 'la guardaespaldas' or 'el guardaespaldas'?

Both are acceptable. Traditionally, the word is treated as masculine ('el guardaespaldas') because it refers to a role or profession. However, it is very common and completely correct to say 'la guardaespaldas' when referring specifically to a woman.

Is 'guardaespaldas' the only Spanish word for bodyguard?

No, 'escolta' is a common synonym, especially for a security detail or armed escort. However, 'guardaespaldas' is the most direct and common translation for a personal bodyguard.