Inklingo

How to Say "bosses" in Spanish

English → Spanish

jefes

HEH-fehs/ˈxefes/

nounA1
Use 'jefes' when referring to supervisors, managers, or the people in charge of you in a professional work environment.
An illustration showing two professional managers, a man and a woman, wearing business attire, standing at the head of a long conference table reviewing documents.

Examples

Mis jefes me dieron un aumento de sueldo.

My bosses gave me a salary raise.

Los jefes están en una reunión importante todo el día.

The managers are in an important meeting all day.

Siempre hay que saludar a los jefes cuando llegas.

You always have to greet the bosses when you arrive.

Gender Rule for Groups

Even if the group of bosses includes women (jefas) and men (jefes), Spanish defaults to the masculine plural form ('los jefes') to refer to the whole group.

Confusing Singular and Plural

Mistake: “Using 'jefe' when referring to multiple people.”

Correction: Remember to add the '-s' for plural: 'Los jefes son estrictos' (The bosses are strict).

patrones

/pah-TROH-nehs//paˈtɾones/

nounB1
Use 'patrones' to refer to employers or individuals who own a business and are in charge of employees.
A person sitting at a large desk giving a friendly thumbs up to a worker.

Examples

Los patrones hablaron con los empleados sobre el nuevo horario.

The bosses spoke with the employees about the new schedule.

Los patrones del barco conocen bien estas aguas.

The boat skippers know these waters well.

dueños

nounA2informal
Use 'dueños' when talking about the owners of a business or property, especially in informal Latin American contexts.

Examples

Los dueños de la panadería abren a las seis de la mañana.

The owners of the bakery open at six in the morning.

amos

/AH-mohs//ˈamos/

nounB1informal
Use 'amos' informally to mean masters or owners, often in the context of pets or historically, people in charge of others.
A happy man and woman standing proudly in front of a small house with a garden, holding a set of keys.

Examples

Los perros siempre se alegran de ver a sus amos.

Dogs are always happy to see their owners.

Ellos son los amos del negocio.

They are the masters of the business.

Using the Plural Form

'Amos' is the plural of 'amo'. Use it to refer to a group of men or a mixed group of men and women who own something.

Don't confuse with 'to love'

Mistake: “Using 'amos' to mean 'we love'.”

Correction: Say 'amamos' for 'we love'. 'Amos' only means owners or masters.

Workplace vs. Ownership

The most common mistake is using 'dueños' or 'amos' for your direct supervisor at work. Remember that 'jefes' is the standard term for workplace bosses, while 'dueños' and 'amos' refer more to ownership or mastery.

Related Translations

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