Inklingo

How to Say "to nominate" in Spanish

English → Spanish

nominar

/noh-mee-nahr//nomiˈnaɾ/

verbB1general
Use 'nominar' when proposing someone for an award, honor, or a formal position they are not applying for themselves.
A person pointing to a candidate on a stage to propose them for an award.

Examples

El comité va a nominar a la científica para el premio Nobel.

The committee is going to nominate the scientist for the Nobel Prize.

Van a nominar a mi actor favorito para un premio.

They are going to nominate my favorite actor for an award.

Ella fue nominada por su excelente trabajo en la ciencia.

She was nominated for her excellent work in science.

Es un honor nominarte como presidente del club.

It is an honor to nominate you as the club president.

The 'Personal A'

When you nominate a specific person, you must use the word 'a' before their name. Example: 'Nomino a Juan' (I nominate Juan).

Regular Pattern

This verb is easy to learn because it follows the standard pattern for all verbs ending in -ar.

Confusing with 'Nombrar'

Mistake:Nomino a mi hijo Juan.

Correction: Nombro a mi hijo Juan (I name my son Juan). Use 'nominar' for prizes or official positions, use 'nombrar' for giving a name or appointing someone directly.

postular

/pohs-too-LAHR//pos.tuˈlaɾ/

verbB1general
Use 'postular' when someone is proposing themselves or being proposed by others to run for a political office or apply for a job.
A person handing a folder to a professional person across a desk.

Examples

Se postuló para alcalde en las últimas elecciones.

He nominated himself for mayor in the last election.

Me quiero postular para el puesto de gerente.

I want to apply for the manager position.

El partido decidió postular a una candidata joven.

The party decided to nominate a young female candidate.

Juan se postuló a la presidencia del club.

Juan ran for the presidency of the club.

Using 'se' with postular

When you are the one applying for a job, you often use the form 'postularse' (adding 'se' at the end). This shows you are putting yourself forward for the position.

Connecting to the job

We usually use the word 'a' or 'para' after postular to show what you are applying for, like 'postular a una vacante'.

Postular vs. Aplicar

Mistake:Voy a aplicar para el trabajo.

Correction: Voy a postularme para el trabajo.

Nominar vs. Postular

The most common mistake is using 'nominar' when you mean to apply for something yourself. Remember, 'postular' is used for self-application or running for office, while 'nominar' is for external proposals for awards or positions.

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