Inklingo

How to Say "position" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “position” is “posición” — use this for a physical location, a body posture, or a general standing/rank in a social or professional context.

posiciónA1

Use this for a physical location, a body posture, or a general standing/rank in a social or professional context.

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puesto🔊B1

This refers to a specific job or role within a company or organization.

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lugar🔊B1

Use this when talking about someone's rank in a competition, race, or ordered list.

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cargo🔊B1

This refers to a formal job title or the responsibilities associated with a significant role in a company.

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plaza🔊B1

This specifically means a job vacancy or an available employment opening.

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situaciónB1

Use this to describe the placement or location of something, like a building or an object, emphasizing its setting.

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rango🔊B1

This refers to a specific level or grade within a hierarchy, often in the military or a structured organization.

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postura🔊A2

This refers to a physical stance or how your body is held, or it can mean a particular viewpoint or attitude.

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escañoB2

This specifically refers to a seat in a legislative body, like a parliament or congress.

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trinchera🔊C1

Use this metaphorically to describe the front line of work or a battle against a problem or cause.

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English → Spanish

posición

nounA1general
Use this for a physical location, a body posture, or a general standing/rank in a social or professional context.

Examples

Por favor, mantén la misma posición para la foto.

Please, keep the same position for the photo.

puesto

PWES-tohˈpwesto

nounB1professional
This refers to a specific job or role within a company or organization.
A colorful market stall overflowing with fresh fruits and vegetables under a striped awning.

Examples

Tengo un nuevo puesto en la oficina.

I have a new job/position at the office.

Compramos frutas frescas en un puesto del mercado.

We bought fresh fruit at a stall in the market.

El soldado no puede abandonar su puesto.

The soldier cannot leave his post.

lugar

loo-GARluˈɡaɾ

nounB1general
Use this when talking about someone's rank in a competition, race, or ordered list.
A winner's podium with medals for first, second, and third place, symbolizing position or rank.

Examples

Ella obtuvo el primer lugar en la competencia.

She got first place in the competition.

En la lista de espera, ocupo el décimo lugar.

On the waiting list, I hold the tenth position.

El equipo descendió al último lugar de la tabla.

The team dropped to the last place in the standings.

cargo

KAR-goˈkaɾɣo

nounB1professional
This refers to a formal job title or the responsibilities associated with a significant role in a company.
A professional woman sitting confidently behind a large, clean wooden desk in a bright office, symbolizing a leadership position.

Examples

Ella aceptó el cargo de directora general.

She accepted the position of general director.

Es un cargo con mucha responsabilidad.

It's a position with a lot of responsibility.

Dimitió de su cargo político el mes pasado.

He resigned from his political office last month.

plaza

/plá-sa/ (or /plá-tha/ in Spain)ˈplaθa

nounB1professional
This specifically means a job vacancy or an available employment opening.
An illustration of an empty, well-appointed office chair waiting behind a large wooden desk, symbolizing an open job position or vacancy.

Examples

Hay una plaza disponible en el departamento de ventas.

There is a position available in the sales department.

¿Cuántas plazas hay para el curso de verano?

How many spots are there for the summer course?

Formal Context

This meaning is often used in formal job listings or university applications, making it sound more serious or official than using 'trabajo' or 'puesto'.

situación

nounB1general
Use this to describe the placement or location of something, like a building or an object, emphasizing its setting.

Examples

La situación del hotel es perfecta, justo en el centro.

The location of the hotel is perfect, right in the center.

rango

RRAHN-gohˈraŋ.ɡo

nounB1formal
This refers to a specific level or grade within a hierarchy, often in the military or a structured organization.
Three simple, stylized figures standing on a three-tiered pedestal, clearly illustrating a hierarchy or ranking system.

Examples

Ascendió rápidamente de rango dentro de la empresa.

He quickly rose in rank within the company.

El rango de coronel exige mucha responsabilidad.

The rank of colonel demands a lot of responsibility.

No importa tu rango social, todos son bienvenidos aquí.

Your social status doesn't matter; everyone is welcome here.

Masculine Noun Rule

Since 'rango' ends in -o, it is almost always a masculine word. Remember to use masculine articles like 'el' or 'un' before it.

postura

pos-TOO-rahposˈtuɾa

nounA2general
This refers to a physical stance or how your body is held, or it can mean a particular viewpoint or attitude.
A person sitting with a very straight back on a simple wooden chair.

Examples

Tienes que mantener una buena postura al sentarte.

You have to maintain good posture when sitting down.

El yoga tiene muchas posturas diferentes para estirar los músculos.

Yoga has many different positions to stretch the muscles.

La fotógrafa le pidió que cambiara de postura para la siguiente foto.

The photographer asked them to change their pose for the next photo.

El gobierno mantiene una postura firme contra la inflación.

The government maintains a firm stance against inflation.

It's a feminine word

Since it ends in 'a', it uses feminine markers like 'la', 'una', or 'nuestra'. Always say 'la postura', never 'el postura'.

Describing posture

When you want to say someone is in a certain position, you usually use the verb 'tener' (to have) or 'mantener' (to maintain) followed by 'una postura'.

Abstract vs. Physical

Just like in English, the word for physical position is used figuratively to mean your mental position on a topic.

Confusing with 'posición'

Mistake: “Using 'posición' to describe a slouching back.”

Correction: Use 'postura' for the way a body is held; use 'posición' for the location of something in space.

Opinion vs Postura

Mistake: “Using 'postura' for a simple preference like 'my position is that I like chocolate'.”

Correction: Use 'postura' for more serious, formal, or structured opinions, like in politics or ethics.

escaño

nounB2political
This specifically refers to a seat in a legislative body, like a parliament or congress.

Examples

El partido obtuvo cincuenta escaños en las últimas elecciones.

The party won fifty seats in the last elections.

trinchera

treen-CHEH-rahtɾinˈtʃeɾa

nounC1figurative
Use this metaphorically to describe the front line of work or a battle against a problem or cause.
A person standing at the edge of a field, looking ahead with determination while holding a garden tool.

Examples

Los enfermeros trabajan en la primera trinchera contra la enfermedad.

Nurses work on the front line against the disease.

No abandonaré mi trinchera ideológica.

I will not abandon my ideological standpoint.

Desde su trinchera en el periódico, ella defiende la verdad.

From her position at the newspaper, she defends the truth.

Using 'Desde' with Trinchera

When using the metaphorical meaning, we almost always use 'desde' (from) to show where someone's perspective or influence is coming from.

Literal vs. Figurative

Job vs. Physical Location

The most common confusion is between 'posición' and words like 'puesto' or 'cargo' when referring to a job. While 'posición' can mean rank or standing, 'puesto' and 'cargo' are more specific for a particular job role or title within a company.

Related Translations

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