How to Say "sponsor" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “sponsor” is “patrocinador” — use this term when referring to a company or organization that provides financial support for an event, project, or sports team.
patrocinador
pa-tro-see-na-DORpatɾosinaˈðoɾ
Examples
El equipo de fútbol tiene un nuevo patrocinador.
The soccer team has a new sponsor.
Necesitamos encontrar un patrocinador para el concierto benéfico.
We need to find a sponsor for the charity concert.
Gracias a nuestro patrocinador, pudimos viajar a la competencia.
Thanks to our sponsor, we were able to travel to the competition.
People words ending in -or
In Spanish, words describing a person's role or job that end in '-or' are usually masculine. To talk about a woman, you change the ending to '-ora'.
Plural forms
To make this word plural, just add '-es' to the end: 'patrocinadores'.
Don't use 'padrino'
Mistake: “El padrino del evento es Coca-Cola.”
Correction: El patrocinador del evento es Coca-Cola. 'Padrino' is a personal godfather (like at a wedding or baptism), while 'patrocinador' is for business support.
Using the English word
Mistake: “El sponsor del equipo.”
Correction: El patrocinador del equipo. While 'sponsor' is sometimes used in marketing slang, 'patrocinador' is the correct and more natural Spanish term.
padrino
pah-DREE-nohpaˈðɾino
Examples
En el mundo del arte, ella encontró un padrino que financió su exposición.
In the art world, she found a patron who financed her exhibition.
Mi padrino de bautizo es muy generoso.
My godfather (from my baptism) is very generous.
Fui el padrino de mi sobrina en su primera comunión.
I was my niece's sponsor for her first communion.
Se dice que el jefe de la mafia es el padrino de toda la ciudad.
They say the mafia boss is the 'godfather' (protector/patron) of the entire city.
Gender Pair
Remember that 'padrino' is the male godparent. The female equivalent, 'godmother,' is 'madrina'.
Figurative Use
This meaning extends the idea of the ceremonial 'godfather' to mean anyone who holds power and gives protection or assistance to another person or project.
Confusing 'Godfather' and 'Father'
Mistake: “Using 'padrino' when you mean 'padre' (father).”
Correction: 'Padrino' is always the ceremonial or chosen protector, not the biological father ('padre').
madrina
mah-DREE-nahmaˈðɾina
Examples
Mi madrina me compró un libro para mi cumpleaños.
My godmother bought me a book for my birthday.
¿Quién será la madrina del bebé?
Who will be the baby's godmother?
Ella es mi madrina de bautizo.
She is my godmother from my baptism.
Always Feminine
The word 'madrina' is always used for a woman. If the person is a man, the word changes to 'padrino'.
Relationships
In Spanish, the relationship between the parents and the godmother is very important; they call each other 'comadre'.
Confusing Godmother and Matron of Honor
Mistake: “Using 'madrina' only for religious events.”
Correction: In Spanish, 'madrina' is used for both a godmother at a baptism and a matron of honor at a wedding.
Padrino vs. Patrocinador
Related Translations
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