patrón
/pah-TROHN/
boss
“Patrón” can mean “boss,” referring to an employer or person in charge of workers.
patrón(noun)
boss
?employer or person in charge of workers
,owner
?of a business or property
employer
?formal business context
,master
?historical or specific to certain trades
📝 In Action
Mi patrón es muy estricto con la hora de llegada.
A1My boss is very strict about the arrival time.
El patrón de la fábrica dio una bonificación a todos los empleados.
A2The owner of the factory gave a bonus to all the employees.
💡 Grammar Points
Gender Consideration
Even though 'patrón' is masculine, it can refer to a female employer. However, the feminine equivalent 'patrona' is very common and often preferred.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Patrón vs. Jefe
Mistake: "Using 'patrón' when you mean a direct supervisor or manager."
Correction: 'Jefe' is usually the person who manages you day-to-day. 'Patrón' is often the owner or the highest authority.
⭐ Usage Tips
Regional Use
'Patrón' is very common in Mexico and Central America to mean 'boss' or 'mister,' sometimes used respectfully like 'Señor'.
“Patrón” is used to describe a “pattern” or a repeatable design.
patrón(noun)
pattern
?design, repeatable sequence, or template
model
?a standard or example to follow
,template
?a guide for cutting or sewing
📝 In Action
El vestido tiene un patrón floral muy bonito.
A2The dress has a very beautiful floral pattern.
Los científicos buscan un patrón en los datos para entender el fenómeno.
B1The scientists are looking for a pattern in the data to understand the phenomenon.
💡 Grammar Points
Abstract vs. Concrete
'Patrón' can refer to a physical design (like on fabric) or an abstract sequence (like a pattern in math or behavior). Context is key!
A third meaning of “patrón” is “patron saint,” a religious figure who provides protection.
patrón(noun)
patron saint
?religious figure protecting a place or group
,skipper
?captain of a small boat or yacht
protector
?historical/literary
📝 In Action
San Jorge es el patrón de Cataluña.
B2Saint George is the patron saint of Catalonia.
El patrón del yate nos enseñó a izar la vela.
C1The skipper of the yacht taught us how to raise the sail.
💡 Grammar Points
Maritime Context
When referring to boats, 'patrón' usually means the person commanding the vessel, especially in sports or recreation, though 'capitán' is used for larger ships.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: patrón
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'patrón' in the sense of a repeatable design or structure?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'patrón' and the English word 'patron'?
While they share the same origin, the Spanish 'patrón' is most commonly used for 'boss' or 'pattern.' The English 'patron' (meaning a supporter of the arts or a regular customer) is usually translated in Spanish as 'mecenas' or 'cliente habitual'.
How do I know if 'patrón' means a person or a pattern?
Look at the words around it. If you see verbs related to managing, hiring, or talking about salary (like 'pagar,' 'contratar'), it means 'boss.' If you see words related to design, mathematics, or behavior ('diseño,' 'secuencia,' 'encontrar'), it means 'pattern'.