Inklingo

How to Say "host" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word forhostis anfitriónuse 'anfitrión' when referring to a person who is entertaining guests at their home or an event..

anfitriónB1

Use 'anfitrión' when referring to a person who is entertaining guests at their home or an event.

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recibir🔊B1

Use the verb 'recibir' when the action is 'to host' in the sense of welcoming or receiving guests.

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servidor🔊B2

Use 'servidor' for a computer or system that provides services in a network, often called a 'server' in English.

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huéspedB2

Use 'huésped' to refer to a person who is hosted (a guest), or in a biological context, an organism that harbors a parasite.

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ejércitoB2

Use 'ejército' when 'host' means a very large group or multitude of people, like an army.

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multitud🔊C1

Use 'multitud' to refer to a large number or crowd of people or things, similar to 'multitude'.

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galaxia🔊C1

Use 'galaxia' metaphorically to describe a vast collection or array of people or things, like a 'galaxy' of stars.

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English → Spanish

anfitrión

nounB1general
Use 'anfitrión' when referring to a person who is entertaining guests at their home or an event.

Examples

Juan fue el anfitrión perfecto en la cena de anoche.

Juan was the perfect host at last night's dinner.

recibir

reh-see-BEER/re.siˈβiɾ/

verbB1general
Use the verb 'recibir' when the action is 'to host' in the sense of welcoming or receiving guests.
A person warmly welcoming a visitor at a doorway with an outstretched hand and a friendly smile.

Examples

La familia me recibió con los brazos abiertos.

The family welcomed me with open arms.

El presidente recibirá a la delegación mañana.

The president will receive (host) the delegation tomorrow.

Abrimos la puerta para recibir a los clientes.

We open the door to welcome the customers.

Personal 'A'

When 'recibir' is used to welcome a specific person or group, you must use the 'personal A' directly before the name or description of the people being welcomed: 'recibir a los amigos'.

Confusing 'Host' with 'Organize'

Mistake:Recibimos la conferencia anual en nuestro hotel.

Correction: Albergamos la conferencia anual en nuestro hotel. ('Recibir' means hosting people, not necessarily hosting the entire organized event.)

servidor

/ser-vee-DOR//ser.βiˈðoɾ/

nounB2technical
Use 'servidor' for a computer or system that provides services in a network, often called a 'server' in English.
A tall, metal rack filled with stacked computer hardware units, with small indicator lights blinking, symbolizing a data server.

Examples

Necesitamos reiniciar el servidor de la oficina para restaurar la red.

We need to restart the office server to restore the network.

Todos nuestros datos están almacenados en un servidor remoto.

All our data is stored on a remote server.

Technical Usage

In technology, 'servidor' is almost always the correct translation for 'server' (the machine that provides information), distinguishing it from the person who serves.

huésped

nounB2general/technical
Use 'huésped' to refer to a person who is hosted (a guest), or in a biological context, an organism that harbors a parasite.

Examples

El ratón es el huésped principal de esta enfermedad viral.

The mouse is the principal host of this viral disease.

ejército

nounB2general
Use 'ejército' when 'host' means a very large group or multitude of people, like an army.

Examples

Un ejército de voluntarios ayudó a limpiar la ciudad después de la inundación.

An army of volunteers helped clean the city after the flood.

multitud

mool-tee-TOOD/multiˈtuð/

nounC1general
Use 'multitud' to refer to a large number or crowd of people or things, similar to 'multitude'.
A massive, overflowing pile of hundreds of brightly colored apples covering a grassy field, symbolizing a great number or abundance of things.

Examples

El proyecto enfrentó una multitud de problemas técnicos.

The project faced a multitude of technical problems.

Hay una multitud de razones por las que debemos actuar ahora.

There is a host of reasons why we must act now.

Formal Usage

This meaning is often used in writing or formal speech, similar to how 'a host of' or 'a multitude of' is used in English.

galaxia

/gah-LAHK-see-ah//ɡaˈlaksja/

nounC1figurative
Use 'galaxia' metaphorically to describe a vast collection or array of people or things, like a 'galaxy' of stars.
A simple illustration showing a dazzling collection of various brightly colored, sparkling jewels.

Examples

La gala de premios reunió a una galaxia de estrellas de Hollywood.

The awards gala brought together a galaxy/array of Hollywood stars.

El museo exhibe una galaxia de arte contemporáneo.

The museum exhibits a galaxy/vast collection of contemporary art.

Figurative Use

This meaning extends the idea of a 'galaxy' (many stars) to mean an impressive group of famous people, important things, or innovative ideas.

Anfitrión vs. Huésped

The most common confusion is between 'anfitrión' (host) and 'huésped' (guest). Remember, 'anfitrión' is the one receiving, and 'huésped' is the one being received. Don't mix them up!

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