huésped
/WES-ped/
guest
The most common meaning of huésped is a guest or visitor in a home.
huésped(noun)
guest
?visitor in a home
,hotel guest
?person staying in commercial accommodation
lodger
?someone renting a room
,boarder
?someone paying for room and board
📝 In Action
¿Cuántos huéspedes se alojan en tu casa este fin de semana?
A2How many guests are staying at your house this weekend?
La huésped de la habitación 305 dejó las llaves en recepción.
A2The guest in room 305 left the keys at reception.
Todos los huéspedes deben firmar el registro al llegar.
B1All guests must sign the register upon arrival.
💡 Grammar Points
Common Gender Noun
Even though 'huésped' ends in 'd' (which usually suggests masculine), it can refer to a man or a woman. You change the article to match the person's sex: 'el huésped' (male) or 'la huésped' (female).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing Gender
Mistake: "Using 'una huéspeda' for a female guest."
Correction: The word itself doesn't change form. Always use 'la huésped' for a woman.
⭐ Usage Tips
Choosing the Right Word
While 'invitado' means 'invited guest,' 'huésped' is broader and covers anyone staying in accommodation, whether they were formally invited or paid to stay (like in a hotel).
Although formal or archaic, huésped can also refer to the host—the person who receives the guest.
📝 In Action
El huésped (la persona que recibía) preparó una gran fiesta para sus visitantes.
B2The host prepared a large party for his visitors.
Según la tradición antigua, el huésped debe garantizar la seguridad de su invitado.
C1According to ancient tradition, the host must guarantee the safety of his guest.
⭐ Usage Tips
Modern Preference
To avoid confusion, use 'anfitrión' when you mean the person who is doing the inviting or receiving. Reserve 'huésped' for the person being hosted (the guest).
In a biological context, huésped refers to the host organism that harbors a parasite.
huésped(noun)
host
?biological organism harboring a parasite
carrier
?disease carrier
📝 In Action
El ratón es el huésped principal de esta enfermedad viral.
C1The mouse is the principal host of this viral disease.
El parásito solo puede sobrevivir dentro del huésped adecuado.
C2The parasite can only survive inside the adequate host.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: huésped
Question 1 of 2
If you are staying at a friend's house for the weekend, what should your friend call you?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'huésped' masculine or feminine?
'Huésped' is a masculine noun by structure, but it can refer to either a man or a woman. This is called 'common gender.' You must use 'el' for a male guest and 'la' for a female guest.
What is the difference between 'huésped' and 'anfitrión'?
In modern Spanish, 'huésped' almost always means 'guest' (the person being received). 'Anfitrión' is the standard word for 'host' (the person doing the receiving or inviting).