How to Say "recipient" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “recipient” is “destinatario” — use 'destinatario' when referring to the person to whom something is addressed or sent, like a letter or a package..
destinatario
/des-tee-nah-TAH-ryoh//destinaˈtaɾjo/
Examples
Escribe el nombre del destinatario en la parte frontal del sobre.
Write the recipient's name on the front of the envelope.
El paquete fue devuelto porque el destinatario no vivía en esa dirección.
The package was returned because the addressee did not live at that address.
Debemos identificar al destinatario ideal para nuestra campaña de marketing.
We must identify the ideal target audience for our marketing campaign.
Person vs. Place
Don't confuse 'destinatario' with 'destino'. 'Destinatario' is the person getting the mail, while 'destino' is the final place the mail is going.
Gendered Endings
If you are sending something to a woman, the word changes to 'destinataria' to match her gender.
Recipient vs. Destination
Mistake: “Puse el nombre de la ciudad en el espacio del destinatario.”
Correction: Puse el nombre de la ciudad en el destino. 'Destinatario' is for the person's name.
receptor
/rre-sep-TORE//reθepˈtor/
Examples
El receptor del paquete debe firmar este documento.
The recipient of the package must sign this document.
En toda comunicación hay un emisor y un receptor.
In all communication, there is a sender and a receiver.
El receptor de la beca será anunciado mañana.
The recipient of the scholarship will be announced tomorrow.
Plural Form
Since this word ends in a consonant, you add '-es' to make it plural: 'receptores'.
Feminine Version
If the person receiving is female, you change the ending to '-a': 'la receptora'.
Recipient vs. Lobby
Mistake: “El recibidor de la carta.”
Correction: El receptor de la carta. 'Recibidor' refers to the hallway or foyer of a house, not a person.
beneficiario
/beh-neh-fee-syah-ryo//benefiˈθjaɾjo/
Examples
Debes designar a un beneficiario para tu seguro de vida.
You must designate a beneficiary for your life insurance.
Los estudiantes son los principales beneficiarios de estas becas.
Students are the main beneficiaries of these scholarships.
La cuenta bancaria tiene dos beneficiarios.
The bank account has two beneficiaries.
Changing the Ending for Gender
To talk about a woman, simply change the final 'o' to an 'a': 'la beneficiaria'.
Using 'de' for Connection
Use the word 'de' (of/from) to explain what the person is receiving from, such as 'beneficiario de una beca' (beneficiary of a scholarship).
Confusing the Giver and Receiver
Mistake: “Llamar 'beneficiario' a la persona que da el dinero.”
Correction: The 'beneficiario' is the one who *gets* the money. The person who *gives* it is the 'benefactor' or 'donante'.
Destinatario vs. Receptor
Related Translations
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