Inklingo

How to Say "qualified" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “qualified” is “apto” — use 'apto' when someone possesses the general skills or suitability required for a specific role or task, often implying they meet the basic requirements.

apto🔊B1

Use 'apto' when someone possesses the general skills or suitability required for a specific role or task, often implying they meet the basic requirements.

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calificado🔊B1

Use 'calificado' to describe someone who has the necessary skills, experience, or qualifications for a particular job or field.

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competente🔊B1

Use 'competente' to indicate that someone has the necessary abilities and knowledge to perform a job or task effectively and meet its requirements.

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cualificado🔊B2

Use 'cualificado' when referring to someone who has specific formal qualifications, such as certificates or degrees, that make them suitable for a professional role.

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titulado🔊B1

Use 'titulado' specifically when referring to someone who holds an official degree or professional title, emphasizing their formal certification.

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preparado🔊A1

Use 'preparado' to mean 'ready' or 'prepared' for a situation or task, or more generally, educated or skilled, but it's less common for professional qualifications.

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clasificado🔊B1

Use 'clasificado' exclusively when referring to advancing to a later stage in a competition, game, or selection process.

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English → Spanish

apto

AP-tohˈapto

adjectiveB1general
Use 'apto' when someone possesses the general skills or suitability required for a specific role or task, often implying they meet the basic requirements.
A person wearing a chef's hat and apron holding a silver platter with a perfectly baked cake.

Examples

El candidato fue declarado apto para el puesto.

The candidate was declared qualified for the position.

Mi resultado en el examen de conducir fue 'apto'.

My result on the driving test was 'pass'.

Después de la revisión médica, el atleta es apto para competir.

After the medical check-up, the athlete is fit to compete.

Pass or Fail

In many Spanish-speaking countries, exams don't use 'pass/fail' but rather 'apto' (pass) and 'no apto' (fail).

Thinking it's a noun

Mistake: “Tengo un apto.”

Correction: Soy apto o mi resultado es apto. (While it acts like a grade, it is still describing you or your result.)

calificado

kah-lee-fee-KAH-dohkalifiˈkaðo

adjectiveB1general
Use 'calificado' to describe someone who has the necessary skills, experience, or qualifications for a particular job or field.
A skilled carpenter wearing a tool belt and holding a level against a wooden frame.

Examples

La empresa busca personal calificado para el área de sistemas.

The company is looking for qualified staff for the IT department.

Es un técnico muy calificado que sabe arreglar cualquier motor.

He is a very skilled technician who knows how to fix any engine.

Necesitamos una opinión calificada antes de tomar una decisión.

We need an expert opinion before making a decision.

Matching the Noun

Remember that this word must match what it describes. Use 'calificado' for a man or masculine object, and 'calificada' for a woman or feminine object.

Placement for Emphasis

Usually, you put this word after the person you are describing (e.g., 'un médico calificado') to identify their status clearly.

The 'Cualificado' Confusion

Mistake: “Using 'cualificado' exclusively everywhere.”

Correction: In Latin America, 'calificado' is the standard for 'qualified.' 'Cualificado' is much more common in Spain.

competente

kom-pe-TEN-tekompeˈtente

adjectiveB1general
Use 'competente' to indicate that someone has the necessary abilities and knowledge to perform a job or task effectively and meet its requirements.
A skilled chef expertly tossing a perfect pancake in a professional kitchen.

Examples

Necesitamos contratar a un ingeniero competente para este proyecto.

We need to hire a competent engineer for this project.

Ella es muy competente en su trabajo y siempre termina a tiempo.

She is very capable at her job and always finishes on time.

Ese tribunal no es competente para decidir sobre este caso.

That court is not the proper authority to decide on this case.

One Form for Everyone

This word ends in -e, which means it doesn't change for men or women. You can say 'el hombre competente' and 'la mujer competente' without changing the ending.

The 'To Be' Choice

Always use 'ser' with this word when describing someone's character or professional ability. Using 'estar' is very rare and would only imply they are acting competent temporarily.

Competent vs. Competitive

Mistake: “Using 'competente' to mean someone likes to win races or games.”

Correction: Use 'competitivo' for someone who likes to compete. 'Competente' only means someone is good at their job.

Gender confusion

Mistake: “Saying 'una jefa competenta'.”

Correction: Say 'una jefa competente'. Words ending in -ente almost never change to -enta.

cualificado

kwah-lee-fee-KAH-dohkwalifiˈkaðo

adjectiveB2formal
Use 'cualificado' when referring to someone who has specific formal qualifications, such as certificates or degrees, that make them suitable for a professional role.
A smiling professional in a clean uniform holding a rolled certificate with a red ribbon and a gold seal.

Examples

Ella es una ingeniera muy cualificada.

She is a very qualified engineer.

Necesitamos personal cualificado para abrir la nueva fábrica.

We need qualified staff to open the new factory.

La empresa ofrece mejores salarios a la mano de obra cualificada.

The company offers better salaries to skilled labor.

Matching the Person

This word must match the person you are describing. Use 'cualificado' for a man, 'cualificada' for a woman, and add an 's' if you are talking about more than one person.

Using with 'Ser'

Use the verb 'ser' (to be) with this word because being qualified is seen as a lasting characteristic or a professional status.

Cualificado vs. Calificado

Mistake: “Using 'calificado' in Spain to mean professional skills.”

Correction: While 'calificado' is common in Latin America, in Spain 'cualificado' is the standard way to say someone has professional qualifications.

titulado

tee-too-LAH-dohtituˈlaðo

adjectiveB1formal
Use 'titulado' specifically when referring to someone who holds an official degree or professional title, emphasizing their formal certification.
A person wearing a graduation cap and gown holding a rolled diploma with a red ribbon.

Examples

Buscamos a un abogado titulado para este puesto.

We are looking for a qualified lawyer for this position.

Mi hermana ya está titulada en medicina.

My sister is already a certified doctor.

Solo aceptan personal titulado en la clínica.

They only accept staff with a degree at the clinic.

Changing the Endings

Since this acts like a description, it changes to 'titulada' if you are talking about a woman, and adds an 's' if you are talking about more than one person.

Describing After the Noun

In Spanish, we usually put 'titulado' after the job title, like saying 'lawyer qualified' instead of 'qualified lawyer'.

Forgetting Gender Agreement

Mistake: “Ella es un médico titulado.”

Correction: Ella es una médica titulada. (Remember to match the word with the gender of the person).

preparado

preh-pah-RAH-dohpɾepaˈɾaðo

adjectiveA1general
Use 'preparado' to mean 'ready' or 'prepared' for a situation or task, or more generally, educated or skilled, but it's less common for professional qualifications.
A cartoon runner crouched low at a starting block on a track, focused and ready to sprint forward.

Examples

¿Estás preparado para salir ahora mismo?

Are you ready to leave right now?

La comida ya está preparada, podemos comer.

The food is already prepared, we can eat.

Ella es una candidata muy preparada para el puesto.

She is a very qualified candidate for the position.

It Changes Form

Since 'preparado' acts like an adjective, it must change its ending to match the person or thing it describes: 'preparada' (feminine singular), 'preparados' (masculine plural), and 'preparadas' (feminine plural).

Use with Estar vs. Ser

Use 'estar preparado' (to be ready) to talk about a temporary state of readiness. Use 'ser preparado' (to be prepared/qualified) to describe a person's permanent skill or education level.

Forgetting Gender/Number Match

Mistake: “Los estudiantes está preparado.”

Correction: Los estudiantes están preparados. (The ending '-os' must match the plural masculine students.)

clasificado

klah-see-fee-KAH-dohklasifiˈkaðo

adjectiveB1general
Use 'clasificado' exclusively when referring to advancing to a later stage in a competition, game, or selection process.
A manila folder with a large red padlock on the front, representing restricted access.

Examples

El equipo ya está clasificado para la final.

The team is already qualified for the final.

No puedes leer ese documento; es información clasificada.

You cannot read that document; it is classified information.

Tengo mis correos clasificados por fecha.

I have my emails sorted by date.

Matching the Noun

Since this is an adjective, its ending changes to match what you are describing. Use 'clasificado' for masculine things (el archivo) and 'clasificada' for feminine things (la carta).

Use with 'Estar'

When talking about a team reaching a final or a document being secret, we usually use the verb 'estar' because it describes a current state or result.

Qualified vs. Clasificado

Mistake: “In sports, using 'cualificado' for a team passing to the next round.”

Correction: Use 'clasificado' for sports results. 'Cualificado' is usually for job skills or being 'qualified' for a profession.

Job Qualifications vs. Competition

The most common mistake is using job-related terms like 'apto' or 'calificado' when you mean 'qualified' to advance in a competition. For competitions, always use 'clasificado'. For professional roles, 'apto', 'calificado', 'competente', 'cualificado', and 'titulado' are generally used depending on the nuance of skills and credentials.

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