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How to Say "commissioned" in Spanish

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comisionado

koh-mee-syo-NAH-doh/komisjoˈnaðo/

adjectiveB1formal
Use 'comisionado' when 'commissioned' refers to something that has been officially assigned or ordered, often for a specific study or investigation.
A focused person wearing a simple uniform is being handed a large, sealed scroll by a leader, symbolizing the assignment of a task.

Examples

El estudio fue comisionado por el ministerio de salud.

The study was commissioned by the ministry of health.

Estamos comisionados para encontrar una solución.

We are commissioned (or delegated) to find a solution.

Agreement is Key

When used as an adjective, it must agree in number and gender with the noun it describes: 'La tarea comisionada' (the feminine task) vs. 'Los equipos comisionados' (the plural masculine teams).

Used with 'Ser' or 'Estar'

You will often see it used with 'ser' (to form the passive voice, like 'was commissioned') or 'estar' (to describe the state of being commissioned, like 'is commissioned').

Forgetting Agreement

Mistake: “La misión fue comisionado.”

Correction: La misión fue comisionada. (Since 'misión' is feminine, the ending must be '-ada'.)

verbB1
Use 'contrató' (past tense of contratar) when 'commissioned' means that someone or an entity hired or paid for a specific service or work to be performed.

Examples

El gobierno contrató la construcción del nuevo puente.

The government contracted the construction of the new bridge.

encargado

en-car-GAH-doh/eŋkaɾˈɣaðo/

adjectiveB1
Use 'encargado' when 'commissioned' means someone has been officially assigned responsibility for a task or duty, essentially being put 'in charge'.
A determined person standing next to a large, ornate wooden chest, holding a single oversized key, symbolizing being in charge of a duty.

Examples

Él está encargado de organizar la fiesta de fin de año.

He is in charge of organizing the end-of-year party.

La secretaria está encargada de responder las llamadas.

The secretary is responsible for answering the calls.

Fuimos encargados de proteger la documentación secreta.

We were commissioned to protect the secret documentation.

La misión ha sido encargada a un equipo especial.

The mission has been entrusted to a special team.

Agreement with 'Ser' or 'Estar'

When used as an adjective, 'encargado' must agree in number and gender with the person or thing it describes (e.g., 'ellos están encargados', 'ella está encargada').

The Preposition 'De'

The phrase 'estar encargado' is always followed by the preposition 'de' (of/for) to introduce the task or item being managed.

Spelling Change in the Verb Root

To keep the hard 'g' sound (like in 'go') throughout the conjugation, the 'g' changes to 'gu' before 'e' in tenses like the Preterite ('yo encargué') and the entire Present Subjunctive.

Missing 'De'

Mistake: “Estoy encargado organizar la reunión.”

Correction: Estoy encargado *de* organizar la reunión. (Always use 'de' after 'encargado' when introducing the duty.)

Choosing Between Assignment and Hiring

Learners often confuse 'comisionado'/'encargado' with 'contrató'. Remember that 'comisionado' and 'encargado' focus on the assignment of a duty or task, while 'contrató' specifically implies a financial transaction for services rendered.

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