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How to Say "staff" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “staff” is “empleados” — use this word when referring to the collective group of workers or employees in a general sense, often in a numerical context..

English → Spanish

empleados

em-ple-AH-dos/em.pleˈa.ðos/

nounA1General
Use this word when referring to the collective group of workers or employees in a general sense, often in a numerical context.
Three diverse people dressed professionally, sitting at a desk and happily looking at a shared document, symbolizing employees working together.

Examples

La empresa tiene cien empleados nuevos este año.

The company has one hundred new employees this year.

Los empleados de esta tienda son muy amables.

The staff (employees) at this store are very kind.

Necesitamos capacitar a todos los empleados antes de la apertura.

We need to train all the personnel before the opening.

Gender and Number

Since this word ends in '-os', it is plural (more than one) and masculine. If you are referring only to female staff, you must use 'empleadas'.

Confusing 'empleados' and 'empleo'

Mistake: “Mi jefe tiene muchos empleos. (My boss has many jobs.)”

Correction: Mi jefe tiene muchos empleados. ('Empleo' means 'job' or 'employment'; 'empleado' is the person who holds the job.)

personal

/per-so-NAL//peɾso'nal/

nounB1General
This is a versatile term for the group of employees or personnel working for an organization, suitable for most general contexts.
A diverse group of four smiling people wearing matching blue shirts and lanyards, standing together, representing a unified staff or personnel.

Examples

Todo el personal de la tienda es muy amable.

All the store's staff is very friendly.

El departamento de recursos humanos se encarga del personal.

The human resources department is in charge of the personnel.

Se necesita contratar más personal para el proyecto.

We need to hire more staff for the project.

A Group is One Thing

Even though 'el personal' refers to a group of people, Spanish treats it as a single unit. So, you use singular verbs with it: 'El personal es...' (The staff is...), not 'El personal son...'

Using a Plural Verb

Mistake: “El personal están en la reunión.”

Correction: El personal está en la reunión. Think of 'the staff' as one group or 'it'. You would say 'it is', not 'it are'.

cuadro

/KWAA-droh//ˈkwaðɾo/

nounB1General
Choose this word when referring to a specific group of employees, particularly management, administrative, or a core team within an organization.
A diverse group of four smiling professionals standing together in a formal setting, representing a team.

Examples

Necesitamos reforzar el cuadro directivo de la empresa.

We need to reinforce the company's management staff.

El entrenador cambió el cuadro titular antes del partido.

The coach changed the starting squad before the match.

Collective Noun

In this context, 'cuadro' refers to a group of people, acting as a collective noun, similar to 'team' or 'staff' in English.

plana

/PLAH-nah//ˈplana/

nounB2General
This term refers to the leadership or administrative personnel of a group, distinct from the general workforce. It can also refer to a tool.
A metal masonry trowel with a wooden handle.

Examples

El albañil usa la plana para alisar el cemento.

The mason uses the trowel to smooth the cement.

La plana mayor de la empresa decidió cambiar la estrategia.

The senior management of the company decided to change the strategy.

Distinguishing 'Personal' and 'Cuadro'

Learners often confuse 'personal' and 'cuadro.' 'Personal' is a general term for all employees, while 'cuadro' typically refers to a more specific group, like managers or key personnel. Use 'personal' for the general workforce and 'cuadro' for a select team.

Related Translations

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