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How to Say "to employ" in Spanish

English → Spanish

contratar

cohn-trah-TARkontɾaˈtaɾ

verbA2general
Use 'contratar' when you are specifically referring to the act of hiring someone for a job, bringing them into employment.
A professional manager in a suit shaking hands with a cheerful person who is holding a folder, signifying a new job hire.

Examples

La empresa necesita contratar a tres ingenieros nuevos.

The company needs to hire three new engineers.

Contratamos un equipo de limpieza para la oficina.

We hired a cleaning team for the office.

Si te contratan, tendrás un buen salario.

If they employ you, you will have a good salary.

Using the Personal 'a'

When 'contratar' refers to hiring a specific person or people, you must use the preposition 'a' before the person: 'Vamos a contratar a María.'

Forgetting the Personal 'a'

Mistake: “Quieren contratar un nuevo chef.”

Correction: Quieren contratar **a** un nuevo chef. (Always use 'a' before a direct human object.)

emplear

em-pleh-AHRem.ple.ˈaɾ

verbB1general
Use 'emplear' to describe the state of having someone working for you, or a company having many workers.
A manager shaking hands with a new worker in a bright office.

Examples

La fábrica emplea a más de quinientas personas.

The factory employs more than five hundred people.

Es difícil emplear a jóvenes sin experiencia previa.

It is difficult to hire young people without previous experience.

Si me emplean, empezaré el lunes.

If they hire me, I will start on Monday.

The Personal 'A'

When you employ a person (the object), you must use the word 'a' before them. Example: 'Empleo A un jardinero'.

Missing the Personal 'A'

Mistake: “La empresa emplea muchos trabajadores.”

Correction: La empresa emplea A muchos trabajadores. (In Spanish, we use 'a' when the action happens to a person).

usar

oo-SARuˈsaɾ

verbA1general
Use 'usar' for the simple act of using an object, tool, or a basic method in everyday situations.
A cartoon person using a red hammer to hit a nail into a wooden board, demonstrating the act of using a tool.

Examples

Uso mi teléfono para llamar a mis amigos.

I use my phone to call my friends.

¿Puedo usar tu bolígrafo un momento?

Can I use your pen for a moment?

Para este postre, usamos tres huevos y mucha azúcar.

For this dessert, we use three eggs and a lot of sugar.

Always Use *Something*

Think of 'usar' as needing a partner. You always use something. For example, 'Yo uso el martillo' (I use the hammer). The hammer is the thing receiving the action.

Using it for Consuming

Mistake: “No debes usar todo el papel.”

Correction: In contexts of consuming or using up something completely, 'gastar' is often better: 'No debes gastar todo el papel' (You shouldn't use up all the paper).

utilizar

oo-tee-lee-SAHRutiliˈθaɾ

verbB2general
Choose 'utilizar' when referring to the effective or strategic use of a tool, resource, or method, often implying a more deliberate action.
A friendly cartoon character is actively using a bright red shovel to dig into a patch of brown dirt in a garden.

Examples

Necesitas utilizar la llave correcta para abrir esa puerta.

You need to use the correct key to open that door.

El equipo decidió utilizar un nuevo software para gestionar el proyecto.

The team decided to utilize new software to manage the project.

Si utilizamos bien los recursos naturales, podremos evitar problemas futuros.

If we utilize natural resources well, we will be able to avoid future problems.

Spelling Change for ZAR verbs

When conjugating verbs that end in -zar, the 'z' changes to a 'c' whenever it comes before the vowels 'e' or 'i'. This happens in the 'yo' preterite (utilicé) and all present subjunctive forms (utilice, utilices, etc.).

Confusing 'Utilizar' and 'Usar'

Mistake: “Using 'utilizar' in very casual, everyday conversation, such as 'Voy a utilizar el baño.'”

Correction: While not strictly wrong, 'usar' is much more common and natural for simple, everyday objects or actions. 'Voy a usar el baño.' Use 'utilizar' when talking about resources, strategies, or in writing.

Hiring vs. Using

Learners often confuse 'contratar'/'emplear' (for people) with 'usar'/'utilizar' (for things or methods). Remember that 'contratar' and 'emplear' relate to employment, while 'usar' and 'utilizar' are for putting something into service or action.

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