Inklingo

How to Say "escort" in Spanish

English → Spanish

acompañante

nounA2formal or professional
Use 'acompañante' when referring to someone who accompanies another person, typically in a non-professional or non-protective capacity, like a guest or a patient's helper.

Examples

Cada paciente puede tener un acompañante en la habitación.

Each patient can have one companion in the room.

escolta

/es-KOHL-tah//esˈkolta/

nounB2formal
Choose 'escolta' when 'escort' refers to someone or a group providing protection or security, like bodyguards or a security detail.
A person in a professional suit with an earpiece standing alert behind a VIP.

Examples

La escolta policial acompañó al camión de dinero.

The police escort accompanied the money truck.

El presidente camina rodeado por su escolta.

The president walks surrounded by his bodyguard.

Ella trabaja como escolta privada para actores famosos.

She works as a private bodyguard for famous actors.

One Word, Two Genders

When referring to a person, this word doesn't change its ending. Use 'el escolta' for a man and 'la escolta' for a woman.

Collective Noun

When referring to the group as a whole (like a convoy), it is always feminine: 'la escolta'.

Avoid 'Escolto' or 'Escolta'

Mistake: “Calling a female guard 'la escolta' and a male guard 'el escolto'.”

Correction: The word always ends in -a. Just change the 'el' or 'la' at the start.

acompañe

ah-kom-PAH-nye/akomˈpaɲe/

verbB1formal or protective
Use 'acompañe' (a conjugation of 'acompañar') when you are asking or hoping someone will escort or accompany you, especially in a formal or polite manner.
A simple, colorful illustration showing a friendly person and a small dog walking side-by-side on a grassy path, depicting the act of companionship.

Examples

Espero que me acompañe a la reunión.

I hope that you (formal) accompany me to the meeting.

Dudo que yo le acompañe; estoy muy ocupado.

I doubt that I will go with him; I am very busy.

¡Acompáñeme a la puerta, por favor!

Accompany me to the door, please! (Formal command)

Subjunctive Use (Wishes/Wants)

Use 'acompañe' when expressing a desire or request involving a different subject: 'Quiero que mi hermana me acompañe' (I want my sister to accompany me).

Formal Commands

This exact form, '¡Acompáñeme!' (Accompany me!), is the polite, formal way to give an instruction to someone you address as 'usted'.

Confusing Indicative and Subjunctive

Mistake: “Using the indicative form *acompaña* after expressions of doubt: 'Dudo que él me acompaña.'”

Correction: You must use the subjunctive here: 'Dudo que él me acompañe.' (I doubt that he accompanies me.)

Noun vs. Verb Confusion

Learners often confuse the nouns 'acompañante' and 'escolta' with the verb form 'acompañe'. Remember that 'acompañante' and 'escolta' refer to the person or people doing the escorting, while 'acompañe' is the action of accompanying someone.

Related Translations

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