Inklingo

How to Say "rank" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “rank” is “rango” — use this word for military or professional hierarchies, indicating a specific level or grade within an organization.

rango🔊B1

Use this word for military or professional hierarchies, indicating a specific level or grade within an organization.

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categoríaB1

Choose this term when referring to a general level, class, or division, often used for products, services, or types.

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posiciónB1

Use this when talking about a specific job, role, or standing within a company or organization.

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estatus🔊B1

This word refers to social standing or prestige within a group or community.

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lugar🔊B1

Use this to indicate a specific standing or achievement, especially in competitions or rankings.

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jerarquíaB1

This term specifically refers to a system of ranking or order within a structured organization.

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grado🔊B2

Employ this word when discussing the level or extent of something, often in terms of risk, difficulty, or intensity.

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fila🔊A2

Use this word only when referring to a physical line or row of people or things, like in a theater or a queue.

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English → Spanish

rango

RRAHN-gohˈraŋ.ɡo

nounB1
Use this word for military or professional hierarchies, indicating a specific level or grade within an 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.

categoría

nounB1
Choose this term when referring to a general level, class, or division, often used for products, services, or types.

Examples

Los productos se dividen en tres categorías: A, B y C.

The products are divided into three categories: A, B, and C.

posición

nounB1
Use this when talking about a specific job, role, or standing within a company or organization.

Examples

Ella tiene una posición importante en la empresa.

She has an important position in the company.

estatus

es-TAH-toosesˈtatus

nounB1
This word refers to social standing or prestige within a group or community.
A king sitting on a high throne wearing a crown and fine robes, looking down at a lower platform.

Examples

Ella tiene un alto estatus en la comunidad científica.

She has a high status in the scientific community.

Un coche de lujo suele ser un símbolo de estatus.

A luxury car is often a status symbol.

El estatus socioeconómico influye en las oportunidades educativas.

Socioeconomic status influences educational opportunities.

The 'E' Rule

Spanish words cannot start with an 'S' followed by another consonant. Because the English word is 'status,' Spanish adds an 'E' at the beginning to make it easier to pronounce: 'estatus'.

Gender and Ending

Even though it ends in 'us' (which is unusual for Spanish nouns), this word is masculine: 'el estatus'.

Forgetting the 'E'

Mistake: “Él quiere mejorar su status.”

Correction: Él quiere mejorar su estatus. Always remember to add the 'e' at the start for the correct Spanish spelling.

lugar

loo-GARluˈɡaɾ

nounB1
Use this to indicate a specific standing or achievement, especially in competitions or rankings.
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.

jerarquía

nounB1
This term specifically refers to a system of ranking or order within a structured organization.

Examples

En esta empresa, la jerarquía es muy estricta.

In this company, the hierarchy is very strict.

grado

GRAH-dohˈɡɾa.ðo

nounB2
Employ this word when discussing the level or extent of something, often in terms of risk, difficulty, or intensity.
A transparent glass beaker standing on a table, partially filled halfway up with bright blue liquid.

Examples

Tenemos que evaluar el grado de riesgo antes de invertir.

We have to evaluate the level of risk before investing.

El conflicto ha alcanzado un alto grado de complejidad.

The conflict has reached a high degree of complexity.

Abstract Use

This meaning is often followed by 'de' plus an abstract concept (e.g., 'grado de dificultad,' 'grado de madurez').

fila

FEE-lahˈfi.la

nounA2
Use this word only when referring to a physical line or row of people or things, like in a theater or a queue.
A horizontal arrangement of six identical, brightly colored chairs lined up perfectly side-by-side.

Examples

Nos sentamos en la tercera fila del teatro.

We sat in the third row of the theater.

El agricultor plantó tres filas de maíz.

The farmer planted three rows of corn.

Rows vs. Columns

In charts or spreadsheets, 'fila' is the horizontal arrangement (the row), while 'columna' is the vertical arrangement (the column).

Rank vs. Row

The most common confusion is between words meaning 'position/level' and 'fila' (row). Remember 'fila' is almost always about physical seating or alignment, not a metaphorical rank or status.

Related Translations

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