Inklingo
← Dictionary
A colorful storybook illustration showing a person in a bright yellow shirt leading a small group of three people down a winding path.

líder

LEE-der

nounm or fB1
leader?Person who leads or commands
Also:head?of a group or movement,frontrunner?leading competitor (in sports or business)

📝 In Action

El presidente es el líder del país.

A2

The president is the leader of the country.

Ella es la líder del equipo y toma todas las decisiones importantes.

B1

She is the team leader and makes all the important decisions.

Este producto se ha convertido en el líder del mercado en solo un año.

B2

This product has become the market leader in only one year.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • jefe/jefa (boss, chief)
  • dirigente (director, executive)
  • cabecilla (ringleader (often negative connotation))

Antonyms

  • subordinado (subordinate)
  • seguidor (follower)

Common Collocations

  • líder mundial – world leader
  • líder político – political leader
  • líder de opinión – opinion leader

💡 Grammar Points

Gender and Articles

Even though 'líder' ends in 'r', it works for both men and women. You use 'el' for a man ('el líder') and 'la' for a woman ('la líder'). The noun itself always stays the same.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Using an Adjective Form

Mistake: "Using 'lideresa' for a female leader."

Correction: While 'lideresa' exists in some regions and contexts (like political parties), 'líder' is the standard, safe, and universally accepted term for women. Stick to 'la líder'.

⭐ Usage Tips

Pronunciation Tip

The stress in Spanish falls on the first syllable (LÍ-der), not the second, unlike the English pronunciation. Remember the accent mark!

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: líder

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence correctly uses 'líder' to refer to a woman?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

liderar(to lead) - verb
liderazgo(leadership) - noun

Frequently Asked Questions

Does 'líder' have an accent mark?

Yes, 'líder' always carries an accent mark on the 'í'. This is essential because without it ('lider'), the stress would fall incorrectly on the last syllable, which is not how Spanish speakers pronounce this word.

If I want to talk about the quality of being a leader, what word should I use?

You should use 'liderazgo,' which is the Spanish word for 'leadership.' For example: 'Ella tiene mucho liderazgo' (She has a lot of leadership).