portero
“portero” means “goalkeeper” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
goalkeeper, goalie
📝 In Action
El portero atajó el penalti en el último minuto.
A2The goalkeeper saved the penalty in the last minute.
Mi hijo quiere ser portero cuando sea grande.
A1My son wants to be a goalie when he grows up.
doorman, concierge
Also: janitor, gatekeeper
📝 In Action
El portero del edificio guarda las llaves de todos los apartamentos.
A2The doorman of the building keeps the keys for all the apartments.
Tienes que hablar con el portero para que te abra la puerta principal.
B1You have to talk to the gatekeeper so he can open the main door for you.
Translate to Spanish
Words that translate to "portero" in Spanish:
concierge→doorman→gatekeeper→goalie→goalkeeper→janitor→✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: portero
Question 1 of 2
Which English translation is NOT usually appropriate for 'portero'?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
The word comes from the Latin 'portarius,' which means 'one who guards the gate or door.' This explains both the sports meaning (guarding the goal/gate) and the building meaning (guarding the door).
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
¿Cuál es la forma femenina de portero? (What is the feminine form of portero?)
The feminine form is 'portera.' You would say 'la portera' for a female goalkeeper or a female doorman/concierge.
How do I know if 'portero' means a sports player or a building worker?
The context will tell you! If you hear words like 'gol' (goal), 'balón' (ball), or 'equipo' (team), it's the sports player. If you hear words like 'edificio' (building), 'llaves' (keys), or 'paquete' (package), it's the building worker.