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sargento

sar-HEN-toh/saɾˈxento/

“sargento” means “sergeant” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

sergeant

NounmB1
A soldier in a simple green military uniform standing at attention. The rank insignia showing three upward-pointing chevrons, representing a sergeant, is clearly visible on the sleeve.

📝 In Action

El sargento dio la orden de avanzar.

B1

The sergeant gave the order to advance.

Mi abuelo fue sargento en el ejército.

B1

My grandfather was a sergeant in the army.

Un sargento de policía nos pidió los documentos.

B2

A police sergeant asked us for our documents.

Word Connections

Common Collocations

  • sargento de policía – police sergeant
  • sargento primero – sergeant first class
  • sargento de artillería – gunnery sergeant

Idioms & Expressions

  • ser un sargento de hierro – To be very strict or demanding.

clamp

Also: cramp, bar clamp
NounmC1
A sturdy, metallic F-clamp (or bar clamp) with a red handle, actively holding two planks of wood tightly together.

📝 In Action

Usa un sargento para mantener las dos piezas de madera juntas mientras seca el pegamento.

C1

Use a clamp to hold the two pieces of wood together while the glue dries.

Necesito un sargento más grande para este proyecto de carpintería.

B2

I need a bigger clamp for this carpentry project.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • prensa (press, clamp)
  • gato (jack, clamp (in some contexts))

Common Collocations

  • apretar con un sargento – to tighten with a clamp

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "sargento" in Spanish:

bar clamp→clamp→cramp→sergeant→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: sargento

Question 1 of 1

Which sentence uses 'sargento' to talk about a tool?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
sargentía(sergeancy (the rank or position)) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
argentoargumento
📚 Etymology▼

Comes from the Old French 'sergent', which itself comes from the Latin word 'servientem', meaning 'one who serves'. It originally referred to a servant or officer of justice before taking on its military meaning.

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: sergeantFrench: sergentItalian: sergente

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a female version of 'sargento'?

Yes. While you can say 'la sargento' to refer to a female sergeant (using the same masculine form), the word 'la sargenta' is also correct and becoming more common. Both are understood.

How did a tool get the same name as a military rank?

The exact reason isn't certain, but it's likely a fun comparison. The tool 'forces' pieces of wood or metal to stay together in a fixed position, much like a military sergeant enforces discipline and order.