Inklingo

How to Say "to appoint" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “to appoint” is “asignar” — use 'asignar' when you are assigning a task, responsibility, or resource to someone or something, rather than naming them to a formal position.

English → Spanish

asignar

ah-seen-YARasiˈnaɾ

verbB1general
Use 'asignar' when you are assigning a task, responsibility, or resource to someone or something, rather than naming them to a formal position.
A teacher handing a small gardening tool to a student to give them a specific task.

Examples

El profesor asignó mucha tarea para el fin de semana.

The teacher assigned a lot of homework for the weekend.

Debemos asignar un color diferente a cada carpeta.

We should assign a different color to each folder.

El gobierno decidió asignar más fondos a la investigación médica.

The government decided to allocate more funds to medical research.

Using 'a' with People

When you assign something TO someone, use the word 'a' before the person receiving the task (e.g., 'Asigné la tarea a Juan').

A Regular Pattern

This verb follows the standard rules for -ar verbs, making it very predictable to conjugate.

The 'Sign' Trap

Mistake: “Using 'asignar' when you mean to sign a document.”

Correction: Use 'firmar' for signing your name. 'Asignar' is only for giving out tasks or resources.

Missing the Object

Mistake: “Saying 'El jefe asignó' without saying what was assigned.”

Correction: In Spanish, you usually need to mention the task or item being assigned.

designar

deh-seen-yardesiɣˈnaɾ

verbB1general
Use 'designar' when you are officially choosing or selecting someone for a specific job, role, or purpose.
A friendly person in a professional suit handing a gold badge to another smiling person.

Examples

El director designó a María para liderar el proyecto.

The director appointed María to lead the project.

Me designaron como el encargado de las llaves.

They named me as the person in charge of the keys.

Es necesario designar a un representante legal pronto.

It is necessary to appoint a legal representative soon.

The 'Personal A'

Since this word often refers to people being appointed, you must use the word 'a' before the person: 'Designaron A Pedro' (They appointed Pedro).

Passive Sentence Structure

This word is often used in the passive form to say someone 'was appointed' using 'ser': 'Fue designado' (He was appointed).

Confusing Designar with Diseñar

Mistake: “Quiero designar un vestido.”

Correction: Quiero 'diseñar' un vestido. 'Designar' means to appoint a person or pick a place, while 'diseñar' means to design or sketch something artistic.

nombrar

nom-BRAHRnomˈbɾaɾ

verbB2formal
Use 'nombrar' specifically when formally appointing someone to a position or job title.
A person in a suit handing a shiny gold badge to another person.

Examples

El consejo decidió nombrar a un nuevo gerente.

The board decided to appoint a new manager.

Fue nombrada presidenta de la asociación.

She was appointed president of the association.

Me han nombrado responsable del proyecto.

I have been appointed project lead.

Double Action

When you appoint someone, you 'nombrar' the person (with 'a') and then the title follows immediately. Example: 'Nombraron (a) Juan capitán'.

Using 'Como'

Mistake: “Lo nombraron como jefe.”

Correction: Lo nombraron jefe. (In Spanish, you don't usually need the word 'como' after nombrar when giving a title.)

elegir

eh-leh-HEERe.leˈxiɾ

verbB2general
Use 'elegir' when the context implies selection or election by a group, often in political or popular choices for a role.
A diverse crowd of stylized figures smiling and raising their hands towards a single, central figure standing slightly elevated on a small platform, symbolizing an election.

Examples

El pueblo eligió a un nuevo presidente.

The people elected a new president.

Debemos elegir a los miembros de la junta directiva.

We must elect the members of the board of directors.

ordenar

or-deh-NARor.ðeˈnaɾ

verbC1religious
Use 'ordenar' in a religious context to formally ordain someone into the clergy or a specific religious office.
A solemn religious leader wearing a long, purple stole is laying both hands upon the bowed head of a kneeling figure inside a grand, arched sanctuary, depicting an ordination.

Examples

El sacerdote fue ordenado en la catedral.

The priest was ordained in the cathedral.

Asignar vs. Designar vs. Nombrar

Learners often confuse 'asignar', 'designar', and 'nombrar'. Remember that 'asignar' is for tasks or resources, while 'designar' and 'nombrar' are for people in roles. 'Nombrar' is typically more formal than 'designar'.

Related Translations

Learn Spanish with Inklingo

Interactive stories, personalized learning, and more.