Inklingo

How to Say "deputy" in Spanish

English → Spanish

teniente

teh-NYEN-tehteˈnjente

NounC1General
Use 'teniente' when referring to someone appointed to act in place of a superior in a political, administrative, or organizational role, such as a deputy mayor or a deputy leader.
A formally dressed person holding a large, ornate golden key, standing near a prominent, empty chair and desk, signifying they are acting as a deputy.

Examples

El teniente de alcalde supervisará el proyecto.

The deputy mayor will oversee the project.

El teniente de alcalde inauguró el nuevo parque.

The deputy mayor inaugurated the new park.

Actuó como teniente del director durante su ausencia.

He acted as the director's deputy during his absence.

vicario

bee-KAH-ryohbiˈkaɾjo

NounC2Formal/Religious
Use 'vicario' when referring to someone appointed to act on behalf of a superior, most commonly in a religious context, like a parish vicar representing a priest.
A person in simple religious robes standing in front of a stone church building.

Examples

El vicario general asistió al sínodo en nombre del obispo.

The vicar general attended the synod on behalf of the bishop.

El vicario de la parroquia organizó el evento.

The parish vicar organized the event.

El Papa es considerado el Vicario de Cristo.

The Pope is considered the Vicar of Christ.

Nombraron a un nuevo vicario judicial.

They appointed a new judicial vicar.

Using the Article

When referring to the person's title, always use 'el' (the), like 'el vicario'.

Capitals in Titles

Mistake:Always capitalizing 'vicario'.

Correction: In modern Spanish, titles like 'vicario' are usually written in lowercase unless they start a sentence or are part of a very specific formal address.

Teniente vs. Vicario

Learners often confuse 'teniente' and 'vicario' because both can mean someone acting for a superior. Remember that 'teniente' is generally for political or administrative roles, while 'vicario' is primarily for religious or ecclesiastical ones.

Learn Spanish with Inklingo

Interactive stories, personalized learning, and more.