mariscal
/mah-ree-SKAHL/
marshal
A 'mariscal' can refer to a high-ranking military officer.
mariscal(noun)
marshal
?high-ranking military officer
field marshal
?the highest rank in some armies
📝 In Action
El mariscal ordenó la retirada de las tropas.
B2The marshal ordered the retreat of the troops.
Fue ascendido a mariscal tras la gran victoria.
B2He was promoted to marshal after the great victory.
💡 Grammar Points
Using 'el' with Mariscal
This is a word for a person that uses 'el'. Even if referring to a woman in this high rank, 'el mariscal' was traditionally used, though 'la mariscal' is becoming more common today.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Not for Police
Mistake: "Using 'mariscal' for a US Marshal."
Correction: Use 'alguacil' or 'comisario' for law enforcement; 'mariscal' is strictly military.
⭐ Usage Tips
Formal Contexts
Only use this word when talking about history or very high-level military leadership. It's not a common word for daily casual chat.
In sports, 'mariscal' is often used to refer to a quarterback.
mariscal(noun)
quarterback
?American football position
playmaker
?a leader on the field in other sports like soccer
📝 In Action
El mariscal de campo lanzó un pase perfecto.
B1The quarterback threw a perfect pass.
Necesitamos un nuevo mariscal para dirigir el equipo.
B1We need a new playmaker to lead the team.
💡 Grammar Points
Compound Names
In sports, you will almost always see this as 'mariscal de campo' to specifically mean quarterback.
⭐ Usage Tips
Metaphorical Use
Sometimes used in soccer (fútbol) to describe a very organized and bossy defender or midfielder who 'directs' the play like a general.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: mariscal
Question 1 of 2
What is a 'mariscal de campo' in the context of American football?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use 'mariscal' to talk about a Western movie marshal?
No. For a law enforcement marshal, you should use 'alguacil' or 'comisario'. 'Mariscal' is only for high-ranking soldiers or sports players.
Is it used in Spain?
Yes, but mostly in historical contexts. In Spain, they rarely use 'mariscal de campo' for American football; they often just use the English word 'quarterback'.