patronal
“patronal” means “patronal” in Spanish. It has 3 different meanings depending on context:
patronal
Also: of the patron saint
📝 In Action
Mañana empiezan las fiestas patronales del pueblo.
A2The town's patron saint festivals start tomorrow.
El 15 de agosto es el día patronal de nuestra ciudad.
B1August 15th is our city's patron saint day.
La procesión patronal recorrió las calles principales.
B2The patron saint procession went through the main streets.
employer-related, management
Also: business
📝 In Action
La propuesta patronal no fue aceptada por los trabajadores.
B2The management's proposal was not accepted by the workers.
Hubo una reunión entre el sindicato y la asociación patronal.
B2There was a meeting between the union and the employers' association.
El cierre patronal dejó a la fábrica sin actividad.
C1The lockout (employer-led shutdown) left the factory inactive.
employers' association
Also: management board
📝 In Action
La patronal exige una bajada de impuestos.
C1The employers' association demands a tax cut.
El sindicato está negociando el convenio con la patronal.
C1The union is negotiating the agreement with the employers' association.
La patronal del transporte convocó una huelga.
C2The transport employers' group called a strike.
Translate to Spanish
Words that translate to "patronal" in Spanish:
business→employer-related→employers' association→management→management board→patronal→✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: patronal
Question 1 of 3
If you are going to a 'fiesta patronal', what are you celebrating?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
From the Spanish word 'patrón' (boss or protector), which comes from the Latin 'patronus', meaning a defender or a former master who protected his freed slaves.
First recorded: 15th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'patronal' related to the word for father (padre)?
Distantly. Both come from the Latin 'pater' (father), but 'patronal' comes specifically from 'patronus' (protector/boss). In modern Spanish, 'patronal' is for bosses or saints, and 'paternal' is for fathers.
Can I use 'patronal' to describe my personal boss?
Not usually. 'Patronal' is used for groups, associations, or the 'management side' in general. For your specific boss, you would just use 'de mi jefe' or 'de mi patrona'.
Is 'la patronal' used in Latin America?
Yes, it is understood everywhere, though in some countries like Mexico, 'fiestas patronales' is much more common than using 'la patronal' for business management.


