Inklingo

How to Say "supervisor" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “supervisor” is “jefa” — use 'jefa' (or 'jefe' for a male) when referring to your direct superior in a professional hierarchy, essentially meaning 'boss'.

jefa🔊A2

Use 'jefa' (or 'jefe' for a male) when referring to your direct superior in a professional hierarchy, essentially meaning 'boss'.

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encargado🔊A2

Choose 'encargado' when referring to someone in charge of a specific area or task, particularly common in retail or for managing a department like a warehouse.

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supervisor🔊B1

Use 'supervisor' for a person who oversees a team or project, directly managing the work of others, similar to the English usage.

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capataz🔊B1

Opt for 'capataz' when referring to the leader of a manual labor crew, such as construction workers or farm laborers.

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superintendente🔊B2

Use 'superintendente' for a high-level manager responsible for a major project, a large department, or an entire facility.

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English → Spanish

jefa

HEH-fah'xefa

nounA2professional hierarchy
Use 'jefa' (or 'jefe' for a male) when referring to your direct superior in a professional hierarchy, essentially meaning 'boss'.
A woman in professional attire sitting behind a large, clean executive desk, looking confident and authoritative, symbolizing a manager.

Examples

Mi jefa me pidió que terminara el informe antes del almuerzo.

My boss asked me to finish the report before lunch.

La jefa de ventas está en una reunión importante.

The head of sales is in an important meeting.

¿Puedo hablar con la jefa, por favor?

May I speak with the manager, please?

Gender Match

Since 'jefa' is a feminine noun, you must use feminine articles and adjectives with it (e.g., 'la jefa,' 'mi buena jefa').

Confusing Gender

Mistake: “Using 'el jefa' instead of 'la jefa'.”

Correction: Remember the word ends in '-a' and refers to a woman, so it is always 'la jefa'.

encargado

en-car-GAH-doheŋkaɾˈɣaðo

nounA2retail setting
Choose 'encargado' when referring to someone in charge of a specific area or task, particularly common in retail or for managing a department like a warehouse.
A smiling person wearing a blue vest and holding a clipboard, standing in front of a neatly organized shelf section in a store, symbolizing a manager.

Examples

El encargado del almacén revisó el inventario.

The warehouse manager checked the inventory.

¿Podría hablar con el encargado de servicio al cliente?

Could I speak with the person in charge of customer service?

Mi hermano es el encargado de mantenimiento de ese edificio.

My brother is the maintenance supervisor for that building.

Gender Agreement

This word changes based on gender: 'el encargado' (male manager) and 'la encargada' (female manager).

supervisor

soo-pehr-vee-SOHRsupeɾβiˈsoɾ

nounB1person in charge of a team
Use 'supervisor' for a person who oversees a team or project, directly managing the work of others, similar to the English usage.
A central figure, depicted as a supervisor, standing slightly elevated and pointing clearly at a task on a table where three team members are actively working on a project.

Examples

Mi supervisor me dio una retroalimentación positiva sobre el proyecto.

My supervisor gave me positive feedback on the project.

Necesitas la aprobación del supervisor para tomar vacaciones.

You need the supervisor's approval to take vacation time.

El supervisor de la obra visitó el sitio esta mañana.

The construction site supervisor visited the site this morning.

Gender Change for People

When referring to a woman in this role, the word changes to the feminine form: 'la supervisora'. Always match the ending to the person's gender.

Confusing Roles

Mistake: “Usando 'jefe' cuando realmente es un 'supervisor'.”

Correction: While 'jefe' (boss) is general, 'supervisor' implies a specific role overseeing daily tasks. Use 'supervisor' for clarity in a hierarchy.

capataz

kah-pah-TAHSkapaˈθas

nounB1general leadership of a crew
Opt for 'capataz' when referring to the leader of a manual labor crew, such as construction workers or farm laborers.
A person wearing a yellow safety vest and holding a rolled-up blueprint, standing confidently in front of a construction site with workers in the background.

Examples

El capataz dio las instrucciones a los obreros al comenzar el día.

The foreman gave instructions to the workers at the start of the day.

Ella es la capataz de la finca y conoce muy bien las tierras.

She is the overseer of the farm and knows the land very well.

Si tienes algún problema con la obra, habla con el capataz.

If you have a problem with the construction, talk to the foreman.

Changing Z to C in Plurals

When a Spanish word ends in 'z', it changes to a 'c' when you make it plural. So, one 'capataz' becomes many 'capataces'.

Gender and the word Capataz

While traditionally masculine (el capataz), you can refer to a woman as 'la capataz' or use the feminine form 'la capataza' in many regions.

Spelling the Plural

Mistake: “Los capatazes”

Correction: Los capataces. Always swap 'z' for 'c' before adding '-es'.

superintendente

soo-peh-reen-tehn-DEHN-tehsupeɾintendenˈte

nounB2person in charge of a project or department
Use 'superintendente' for a high-level manager responsible for a major project, a large department, or an entire facility.
A confident person in a formal suit holding a clipboard, standing in front of a large, clean building project.

Examples

El superintendente de la obra revisó los planos esta mañana.

The construction superintendent reviewed the blueprints this morning.

La nueva superintendente de policía prometió mejorar la seguridad.

The new police superintendent promised to improve safety.

Debemos enviar un informe directamente al superintendente regional.

We must send a report directly to the regional superintendent.

One word for everyone

This word doesn't change its ending for men or women. To show gender, just change the 'the' before it: 'el superintendente' for a man and 'la superintendente' for a woman.

Formal address

When speaking to a superintendent, it is common to include their title before their last name to show respect.

Avoid 'Superintendenta'

Mistake: “La superintendenta de la escuela.”

Correction: La superintendente de la escuela. While some regions are starting to use the 'a' ending, the standard and most professional form for both genders ends in 'e'.

Choosing Between 'Jefe/a' and 'Supervisor/a'

Learners often confuse 'jefe/a' and 'supervisor/a'. While both indicate a superior, 'jefe/a' is a more general term for 'boss' in any hierarchy, whereas 'supervisor/a' specifically implies overseeing the work of a team or project.

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