Inklingo

How to Say "personnel" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “personnel” is “empleados” — use 'empleados' for a general, formal business term referring to any people who work for a company or organization.

empleados🔊A1

Use 'empleados' for a general, formal business term referring to any people who work for a company or organization.

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personal🔊B1

Use 'personal' to refer to the people employed by an organization, similar to 'staff' or 'personnel' in English, often used in a general organizational context.

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cuadro🔊B1

Use 'cuadro' to refer to a specific group or team within an organization, especially management or a core team.

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plantel🔊B1

Use 'plantel' to refer to the entire body of people employed by an organization, often used for a team or a full staff roster.

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tripulaciónB1

Use 'tripulación' specifically for the crew of a vehicle like a ship, airplane, or spacecraft.

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dotaciónB2

Use 'dotación' to refer to the complement of people assigned to a specific task or place, such as a ship's crew or a military unit.

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elementos🔊B2

Use 'elementos' when referring to security staff or members of a specific team, often in a context where they are performing a duty.

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English → Spanish

empleados

em-ple-AH-dosem.pleˈa.ðos

nounA1formal business
Use 'empleados' for a general, formal business term referring to any people who work for a company or organization.
Three diverse people dressed professionally, sitting at a desk and happily looking at a shared document, symbolizing employees working together.

Examples

La empresa tiene cien empleados nuevos este año.

The company has one hundred new employees this year.

Los empleados de esta tienda son muy amables.

The staff (employees) at this store are very kind.

Necesitamos capacitar a todos los empleados antes de la apertura.

We need to train all the personnel before the opening.

Gender and Number

Since this word ends in '-os', it is plural (more than one) and masculine. If you are referring only to female staff, you must use 'empleadas'.

Confusing 'empleados' and 'empleo'

Mistake: “Mi jefe tiene muchos empleos. (My boss has many jobs.)”

Correction: Mi jefe tiene muchos empleados. ('Empleo' means 'job' or 'employment'; 'empleado' is the person who holds the job.)

personal

per-so-NALpeɾso'nal

nounB1general
Use 'personal' to refer to the people employed by an organization, similar to 'staff' or 'personnel' in English, often used in a general organizational context.
A diverse group of four smiling people wearing matching blue shirts and lanyards, standing together, representing a unified staff or personnel.

Examples

Todo el personal de la tienda es muy amable.

All the store's staff is very friendly.

El departamento de recursos humanos se encarga del personal.

The human resources department is in charge of the personnel.

Se necesita contratar más personal para el proyecto.

We need to hire more staff for the project.

A Group is One Thing

Even though 'el personal' refers to a group of people, Spanish treats it as a single unit. So, you use singular verbs with it: 'El personal es...' (The staff is...), not 'El personal son...'

Using a Plural Verb

Mistake: “El personal están en la reunión.”

Correction: El personal está en la reunión. Think of 'the staff' as one group or 'it'. You would say 'it is', not 'it are'.

cuadro

KWAA-drohˈkwaðɾo

nounB1organizational
Use 'cuadro' to refer to a specific group or team within an organization, especially management or a core team.
A diverse group of four smiling professionals standing together in a formal setting, representing a team.

Examples

Necesitamos reforzar el cuadro directivo de la empresa.

We need to reinforce the company's management staff.

El entrenador cambió el cuadro titular antes del partido.

The coach changed the starting squad before the match.

Collective Noun

In this context, 'cuadro' refers to a group of people, acting as a collective noun, similar to 'team' or 'staff' in English.

plantel

plan-TELplanˈtel

nounB1organizational
Use 'plantel' to refer to the entire body of people employed by an organization, often used for a team or a full staff roster.
A group of soccer players in matching blue uniforms standing together in a line on a green field.

Examples

El equipo renovó a todo su plantel para la nueva temporada.

The team renewed its entire squad for the new season.

El plantel docente se reunirá mañana para discutir los cambios.

The teaching staff will meet tomorrow to discuss the changes.

Contamos con un plantel de expertos en tecnología.

We have a staff of technology experts.

A group word

Even though 'plantel' refers to many people, the word itself is singular. Use singular verbs, like 'El plantel está listo' (The squad is ready).

Professional touch

While 'equipo' means team, 'plantel' sounds more official or professional, often used in news reports or formal business contexts.

Referring to one person

Mistake: “Él es un buen plantel.”

Correction: Él es parte del plantel.

tripulación

nounB1transportation
Use 'tripulación' specifically for the crew of a vehicle like a ship, airplane, or spacecraft.

Examples

La tripulación del avión fue muy amable durante el vuelo.

The plane's crew was very kind during the flight.

dotación

nounB2specific assignments
Use 'dotación' to refer to the complement of people assigned to a specific task or place, such as a ship's crew or a military unit.

Examples

La dotación del buque está compuesta por cincuenta marineros.

The ship's crew consists of fifty sailors.

elementos

eh-leh-MEN-tohse.leˈmen.tos

nounB2security, specific teams
Use 'elementos' when referring to security staff or members of a specific team, often in a context where they are performing a duty.
Two uniformed security guards standing side-by-side, facing forward, wearing simple dark uniforms and caps.

Examples

Los elementos de seguridad acordonaron la zona del accidente.

The security personnel cordoned off the accident area.

La policía busca a varios elementos sospechosos que huyeron del lugar.

The police are looking for several suspicious individuals who fled the scene.

Referring to People

When 'elementos' refers to people, it often carries a formal or slightly distant tone, common in official reports or news.

Choosing Between 'Personal' and 'Empleados'

Learners often confuse 'personal' and 'empleados'. While both refer to workers, 'empleados' is a more general and common term for anyone employed, whereas 'personal' often implies the staff of a specific organization or department, akin to 'staff'.

Related Translations

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