Inklingo

How to Say "subordinate" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “subordinate” is “inferior” — use 'inferior' as an adjective when comparing the quality or rank of one thing to another, implying it is lower or worse..

inferior🔊A2

Use 'inferior' as an adjective when comparing the quality or rank of one thing to another, implying it is lower or worse.

{ui.learnMore}
menor🔊A1

Use 'menor' as an adjective when referring to something that is smaller in size, quantity, or rank, often in a comparative sense.

{ui.learnMore}
secundaria🔊B1

Use 'secundaria' as an adjective to describe something that is of secondary importance or rank, coming after the primary or main element.

{ui.learnMore}
sujeto🔊B2

Use 'sujeto' as an adjective when something is subject to a condition, authority, or influence, meaning it depends on or is controlled by something else.

{ui.learnMore}
satéliteB2

Use 'satélite' as a noun to describe a person, group, or country that is dependent on or controlled by a more powerful entity, often in a political or historical context.

{ui.learnMore}
English → Spanish

inferior

een-feh-ree-OR/infeˈɾjoɾ/

adjectiveA2general
Use 'inferior' as an adjective when comparing the quality or rank of one thing to another, implying it is lower or worse.
A comparison scene showing a large, shiny, perfect red apple next to a small, bruised, brown apple.

Examples

Esta calidad de tela es inferior a la que usamos antes.

This quality of fabric is inferior to the one we used before.

Mi oficina está en el piso inferior.

My office is on the lower floor.

No te sientas inferior solo porque no sabes bailar.

Don't feel inferior just because you can't dance.

El general gritó a su inferior por el error cometido.

The general shouted at his subordinate for the mistake committed.

Always Compare with 'a'

When comparing two things, use 'inferior a' (inferior to) before the thing you are comparing against: 'Mi coche es inferior al tuyo' (My car is inferior to yours).

Noun Use

When used as a noun, 'el inferior' or 'la inferior' refers to the person below you in a chain of command. It behaves exactly like a regular noun.

Using 'que' for Comparison

Mistake: “Este producto es inferior que el otro.”

Correction: Este producto es inferior al otro. (Use 'a' when comparing with 'inferior' or 'superior'.)

inferior

een-feh-ree-OR/infeˈɾjoɾ/

nounB2formal
Use 'inferior' as a noun to refer to a person who holds a lower rank or position within a hierarchy, often in a military or organizational context.
A comparison scene showing a large, shiny, perfect red apple next to a small, bruised, brown apple.

Examples

El general gritó a su inferior por el error cometido.

The general shouted at his subordinate for the mistake committed.

Esta calidad de tela es inferior a la que usamos antes.

This quality of fabric is inferior to the one we used before.

Mi oficina está en el piso inferior.

My office is on the lower floor.

No te sientas inferior solo porque no sabes bailar.

Don't feel inferior just because you can't dance.

Always Compare with 'a'

When comparing two things, use 'inferior a' (inferior to) before the thing you are comparing against: 'Mi coche es inferior al tuyo' (My car is inferior to yours).

Noun Use

When used as a noun, 'el inferior' or 'la inferior' refers to the person below you in a chain of command. It behaves exactly like a regular noun.

Using 'que' for Comparison

Mistake: “Este producto es inferior que el otro.”

Correction: Este producto es inferior al otro. (Use 'a' when comparing with 'inferior' or 'superior'.)

menor

/meh-NOR//meˈnoɾ/

adjectiveA1general
Use 'menor' as an adjective when referring to something that is smaller in size, quantity, or rank, often in a comparative sense.
A visual comparison showing a very large red apple sitting next to a tiny red apple.

Examples

Necesito una porción menor de sopa.

I need a smaller portion of soup.

El costo fue mucho menor de lo que esperábamos.

The cost was much lesser than we expected.

Esta es la calle menor que lleva al parque.

This is the smaller street that leads to the park.

It includes 'more' already

Unlike English, you never say 'más menor' (more smaller). 'Menor' already means 'smaller than' or 'lesser than,' so you just use it directly.

Gender Check

This word stays the same whether the noun is masculine or feminine (el riesgo menor, la casa menor). It only changes to 'menores' when plural.

Adding 'más'

Mistake: “La casa es más menor que el apartamento.”

Correction: La casa es menor que el apartamento. (The house is smaller than the apartment.)

secundaria

/seh-koon-DAH-reeah//se.kunˈda.rja/

adjectiveB1general
Use 'secundaria' as an adjective to describe something that is of secondary importance or rank, coming after the primary or main element.
A visual comparison showing a large, bright red apple placed prominently in the center, and a much smaller, pale green grape positioned off to the side, illustrating the concept of secondary importance.

Examples

La causa principal de la caída fue la lluvia, y la mala visibilidad fue una razón secundaria.

The main cause of the fall was the rain, and poor visibility was a secondary reason.

Esta es una preocupación secundaria; el problema más grande es el presupuesto.

This is a minor concern; the bigger problem is the budget.

Adjective Agreement

Since 'secundaria' ends in '-a', it is used to describe feminine nouns (like 'razón' or 'cuestión'). If you were describing a masculine noun (like 'objetivo'), you would use 'secundario'.

sujeto

soo-HEH-toh/suˈxeto/

adjectiveB2formal
Use 'sujeto' as an adjective when something is subject to a condition, authority, or influence, meaning it depends on or is controlled by something else.
A brightly colored red balloon floating slightly, tethered securely to a large, heavy grey anchor on the ground by a thick rope, symbolizing dependency.

Examples

La decisión está sujeta a la aprobación del director.

The decision is subject to the director's approval.

Ella mantuvo el libro sujeto con ambas manos.

She kept the book held tight with both hands.

El descuento está sujeto a ciertas condiciones.

The discount is dependent on certain conditions.

Adjective Agreement

As an adjective, 'sujeto' must agree in gender and number with the noun it describes: 'sujeto' (m. sing.), 'sujeta' (f. sing.), 'sujetos' (m. plural), 'sujetas' (f. plural). Pay attention to the ending!

Using the wrong preposition

Mistake: “El precio es sujeto por las reglas.”

Correction: El precio está sujeto a las reglas. ('Sujeto' almost always uses the preposition 'a' (to) when referring to dependency.)

satélite

nounB2formal
Use 'satélite' as a noun to describe a person, group, or country that is dependent on or controlled by a more powerful entity, often in a political or historical context.

Examples

Históricamente, ese país fue un satélite de la potencia vecina, sin verdadera autonomía.

Historically, that country was a satellite of the neighboring power, without true autonomy.

Inferior vs. Menor

Learners often confuse 'inferior' and 'menor' when referring to rank. Remember that 'inferior' specifically denotes a lower position or quality in a comparison, while 'menor' can simply mean smaller in size or less in amount, though it can also imply lower rank.

Related Translations

Learn Spanish with Inklingo

Interactive stories, personalized learning, and more.