Inklingo

How to Say "recruits" in Spanish

English → Spanish

refuerzos

/reh-FWEHR-sos//reˈfweɾsos/

nounB2general
Use 'refuerzos' when referring to new members or players added to a sports team, a company, or any organization to strengthen it.
A storybook illustration of two new soccer players holding soccer balls, standing beside a coach and joining four existing team members on a green field.

Examples

El equipo necesita refuerzos para mejorar su rendimiento.

The team needs recruits (or reinforcements) to improve its performance.

El entrenador está buscando refuerzos para la próxima temporada.

The coach is looking for new recruits (or additions) for next season.

Los nuevos refuerzos del equipo de fútbol son muy jóvenes.

The soccer team's new signings are very young.

Referring to One Player

Mistake: “Using 'un refuerzo' for a single new player.”

Correction: While understandable, it is much more common to use the collective plural 'los refuerzos' or say 'un fichaje' (a signing) for one person.

voluntarios

boh-loon-TAH-ree-ohs/boluntaˈɾjos/

nounA2general
Use 'voluntarios' when referring to people who offer their time and effort freely for a cause or task, often in a non-military context like community service.
A group of three cheerful individuals, two adults and one child, happily planting a small sapling in a sunny community garden, symbolizing people offering help.

Examples

Se buscan voluntarios para ayudar en el refugio de animales.

Recruits (or volunteers) are sought to help at the animal shelter.

Los voluntarios llegaron temprano para ayudar en la limpieza de la playa.

The volunteers arrived early to help with the beach clean-up.

Necesitamos más voluntarios para repartir las donaciones.

We need more volunteers to hand out the donations.

Gender and Number

This word is the masculine plural form. If you are referring to a group of only women, you would use 'voluntarias'.

Refuerzos vs. Voluntarios

The most common mistake is using 'voluntarios' when you mean new members joining a team or company. Remember, 'refuerzos' is for adding strength or personnel, while 'voluntarios' specifically implies people offering their services without pay or obligation.

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