portador
“portador” means “bearer” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
bearer, carrier
Also: holder
📝 In Action
El portador de esta carta le explicará todo los detalles.
B1The bearer of this letter will explain all the details to you.
Este cheque es al portador, cualquiera puede cobrarlo.
B2This check is payable to the bearer; anyone can cash it.
Él es un portador sano del virus y no tiene síntomas.
C1He is a healthy carrier of the virus and has no symptoms.
carrying, bearing
📝 In Action
Existen mosquitos portadores de enfermedades peligrosas.
B2There are mosquitoes that carry dangerous diseases.
Un individuo portador puede transmitir el gen a sus hijos.
C1A carrier individual can pass the gene to their children.
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: portador
Question 1 of 3
What does a 'cheque al portador' mean?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
From the Spanish verb 'portar' (to carry), which comes from the Latin 'portare'. The suffix '-dor' was added to denote the person or thing performing the action.
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use 'portador' for a phone carrier like AT&T?
No. For a telecommunications company, Spanish speakers use 'compañía de teléfono' or 'operadora'.
Is 'portador' the same as 'mensajero'?
Not exactly. A 'mensajero' (messenger) is a job title for someone who delivers things. A 'portador' is anyone currently carrying something, though it is often used for documents.
Is 'portador' a formal word?
Yes, it is more formal than 'el que lleva'. You will mostly find it in legal, financial, or medical writing.