exterminador
/eɡsteɾminaˈdoɾ/
The Spanish word for exterminator is exterminador.
An exterminator is a person whose job is to kill pests, such as insects or rodents, in a building. You can also use the common alternative controlador de plagas to refer to a pest controller.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, the term fumigador is commonly used to mean exterminator.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun is gendered. Use the feminine form exterminadora if the person is female.
How do you pronounce it?
/eɡsteɾminaˈdoɾ/
Did you know?
- Because exterminador is an agent noun, the word for the act itself, exterminación, is often used in legal or historical contexts to describe the destruction of entire groups.
- While exterminador sounds like it means to wipe out a species, the more common term fumigador specifically refers to the act of 'smoking out' pests, coming from the word humo meaning 'smoke'.
- While exterminador is correct, using it in a casual conversation about ants or roaches can sound overly dramatic or aggressive to some native speakers.
Examples in context
- Llama a un exterminador.Call an exterminator.This sentence is useful for practicing how to suggest calling an exterminador.Tatoeba #6607879 by arh, translation #2245024 by CK
- Señora, necesito contratar a un exterminador para solucionar el problema de plagas en mi hogar.Madam, I need to hire an exterminator to solve the pest problem in my home.
- La compañía de seguros me recomendó contactar a un especialista en control de plagas para resolver el problema de termitas.The insurance company recommended that I contact a specialist in pest control to solve the termite problem.
- Mi vecino me recomendó a un técnico en fumigación para eliminar las cucarachas en mi restaurante.My neighbor recommended a fumigation technician to eliminate the cockroaches in my restaurant.
- El exterminador llegó muy temprano.The exterminator arrived very early.
- Necesitamos contratar a un exterminador profesional.We need to hire a professional exterminator.
Example conversation
Daniel and María are talking about a problem in their kitchen.
- DanielMaría, hay hormigas en la cocina.María, there are ants in the kitchen.
- MaríaDeberíamos llamar a un exterminador.We should call an exterminator.
- DanielEl exterminador cobrará mucho dinero.The exterminator will charge a lot of money.
- MaríaEs necesario para solucionar el problema.It is necessary to solve the problem.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry exterminador, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
