Inklingo

How to Say "caretaker" in Spanish

English → Spanish

casero

/kah-SEH-roh//kaˈseɾo/

nounB1general
Use 'casero' when referring to someone who is responsible for the upkeep and management of a house or apartment building, often implying a landlord or property manager.
A friendly person holding a set of keys standing in front of a small house.

Examples

Tengo que llamar al casero porque se rompió la ducha.

I have to call the landlord because the shower broke.

El casero vive en el primer piso del edificio.

The landlord lives on the first floor of the building.

Casero vs. Dueño

Mistake: “Using 'dueño' exclusively for a landlord.”

Correction: While 'dueño' means 'owner,' 'casero' is the specific and more common word for a landlord you interact with as a renter.

conserje

/kohn-SEHR-heh//konˈseɾxe/

nounA2general
Choose 'conserje' for someone who works in an apartment building or office, primarily responsible for cleaning, maintenance, and security tasks.
A friendly person wearing a work uniform, holding a large mop and a bucket in a clean hallway.

Examples

El conserje limpia el portal todas las mañanas.

The caretaker cleans the building entrance every morning.

Si pierdes las llaves, pregunta en la conserjería a la conserje.

If you lose your keys, ask the caretaker at the front office.

El conserje del hotel nos consiguió entradas para el teatro.

The hotel concierge got us tickets for the theater.

One word, two genders

This word stays the same whether you're talking about a man or a woman. You only change the word 'the' in front: 'el conserje' for a man and 'la conserje' for a woman.

Don't change the ending

Mistake: “la conserja”

Correction: la conserje. Even though many Spanish words change 'o' to 'a' for women, words ending in 'e' often stay exactly the same.

encargado

en-car-GAH-doh/eŋkaɾˈɣaðo/

nounA2general
Use 'encargado' when referring to a person in charge of a specific area or task, such as a warehouse or a particular responsibility within a larger operation.
A smiling person wearing a blue vest and holding a clipboard, standing in front of a neatly organized shelf section in a store, symbolizing a manager.

Examples

El encargado del almacén revisó el inventario.

The warehouse manager checked the inventory.

¿Podría hablar con el encargado de servicio al cliente?

Could I speak with the person in charge of customer service?

Mi hermano es el encargado de mantenimiento de ese edificio.

My brother is the maintenance supervisor for that building.

Gender Agreement

This word changes based on gender: 'el encargado' (male manager) and 'la encargada' (female manager).

Casero vs. Conserje

Learners often confuse 'casero' and 'conserje'. Remember that 'casero' usually implies a landlord or someone with broader responsibility for a property, while 'conserje' typically refers to someone performing maintenance and cleaning duties within a building.

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