Inklingo

How to Say "employee" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “employee” is “empleado” — use 'empleado' for a general person who works for a company or individual, typically for wages or a salary. This is the most common and versatile translation.

empleado🔊A1

Use 'empleado' for a general person who works for a company or individual, typically for wages or a salary. This is the most common and versatile translation.

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trabajador🔊A1

Use 'trabajador' to emphasize the act of working or the person as a 'worker' in a more general sense, often for a company. It can sometimes imply manual labor but is also used broadly.

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contratado🔊B2

Use 'contratado' specifically for someone who has been officially hired or contracted, often implying a formal agreement or process.

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subordinado🔊B1

Use 'subordinado' to refer to someone who is under the authority of a manager or superior within an organizational hierarchy.

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servidor🔊A2

Use 'servidor' when the employee's role is primarily to serve customers or clients, like a waiter or attendant. It emphasizes the act of serving.

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English → Spanish

empleado

em-pleh-AH-dohem.pleˈa.ðo

nounA1general
Use 'empleado' for a general person who works for a company or individual, typically for wages or a salary. This is the most common and versatile translation.
A person with a friendly expression sitting at a simple wooden desk, actively typing on a laptop, representing a worker earning wages.

Examples

El nuevo empleado de la tienda es muy rápido.

The new employee at the store is very fast.

Todos los empleados recibieron un bono este mes.

All the employees received a bonus this month.

Mi padre es un empleado público en el ayuntamiento.

My father is a public employee at the city hall.

Gender Changes

To talk about a female worker, change the ending to 'a': 'la empleada'. To make it plural, add 's': 'los empleados' (mixed group or all male) or 'las empleadas' (all female).

Confusing 'empleado' and 'empleo'

Mistake: “Using 'Busco un empleado' when you mean 'Busco un empleo'.”

Correction: 'Empleo' means the job/position itself, while 'empleado' is the person who holds the job.

trabajador

trah-bah-hah-DORtɾaβaxaˈðoɾ

nounA1general
Use 'trabajador' to emphasize the act of working or the person as a 'worker' in a more general sense, often for a company. It can sometimes imply manual labor but is also used broadly.
A smiling construction worker wearing a yellow hard hat and blue overalls, holding a hammer and a piece of wood.

Examples

Necesitamos un trabajador para el turno de la noche.

We need a worker for the night shift.

La empresa tiene cien trabajadores en total.

The company has one hundred employees in total.

Forming the Feminine

To talk about a female worker, change the ending to 'a': 'la trabajadora'.

Confusing Noun and Verb

Mistake: “Using 'trabajador' when you mean the action of working ('trabajar').”

Correction: Use 'trabajador' only for the person; use 'trabajar' for the action. Example: 'Me gusta trabajar' (I like to work).

contratado

kohn-trah-TAH-dohkontɾaˈtaðo

nounB2formal
Use 'contratado' specifically for someone who has been officially hired or contracted, often implying a formal agreement or process.
A colorful storybook illustration of a person sitting at a clean desk, working diligently with a simple tool, symbolizing an employee at work.

Examples

Cada nuevo contratado debe firmar un acuerdo de confidencialidad.

Every new employee must sign a confidentiality agreement.

Los contratados temporales no reciben los mismos beneficios que los fijos.

Temporary contractors do not receive the same benefits as permanent ones.

Adjective acting as Noun

This is a common pattern in Spanish: taking an adjective (like 'hired') and using it as a noun (like 'the hired one' or 'the employee'). You just need to add an article ('el', 'la', 'un', 'una') in front.

subordinado

soo-bor-dee-NAH-dohsuβoɾðiˈnaðo

nounB1formal
Use 'subordinado' to refer to someone who is under the authority of a manager or superior within an organizational hierarchy.
A team member in a bright office listening attentively to a supervisor who is pointing at a project board.

Examples

El general dio órdenes a sus subordinados.

The general gave orders to his subordinates.

Es un jefe que siempre escucha a sus subordinados.

He is a boss who always listens to his employees.

La relación entre el supervisor y el subordinado debe ser profesional.

The relationship between the supervisor and the subordinate must be professional.

Gender Changes

This word changes to 'subordinada' when referring to a woman. Always match the ending to the person you are talking about.

Too Formal?

Mistake: “Using 'subordinado' to introduce a coworker at a party.”

Correction: Use 'compañero de trabajo' or 'empleado' in casual settings; 'subordinado' is very formal and can sound cold.

servidor

ser-vee-DORser.βiˈðoɾ

nounA2general
Use 'servidor' when the employee's role is primarily to serve customers or clients, like a waiter or attendant. It emphasizes the act of serving.
A smiling waiter wearing a uniform and apron, balancing a tray carrying a covered dish in a restaurant setting.

Examples

El servidor de la cafetería es muy amable.

The server at the cafeteria is very kind.

¿Podría llamar a un servidor para pedir la cuenta?

Could I call an attendant to ask for the bill?

Gender Note

Remember that 'servidor' is the masculine form. If you are referring to a woman, the word changes to 'servidora'.

General vs. Specific Roles

The most common mistake is using 'empleado' or 'trabajador' when a more specific term like 'contratado' (hired person) or 'subordinado' (person under authority) is more accurate. While 'empleado' is often correct, pay attention to whether the context emphasizes the hiring process, hierarchy, or service role.

Related Translations

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