Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| arquero | /aɾˈkeɾo/ | Latin America, masculine |
| golero | /ɡoˈleɾo/ | Uruguay, masculine |
| guardameta | /ɡwaɾdaˈmeta/ | feminine, masculine |
| portero | /poɾˈteɾo/ | Spain, masculine |
| cancerbero | /kanθeɾˈbeɾo/ /kanseɾˈbeɾo/ |
masculine |
| guardavalla | /ɡwaɾdabaʝa/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
| cuidapalos | /kwidapalos/ (from spelling rules) | feminine, masculine |
| guardapalos | /ɡwaɾdapalos/ (from spelling rules) | feminine, masculine |
| pascón | /pasˈkon/ | feminine |
| pazcón | /paθˈkon/ /pasˈkon/ |
feminine, alternative form |
The term refers to the player who protects the goal. While many forms exist, portero is the most common and widely used term.
What does it mean word for word?
The word guardameta is a compound of guardar, meaning to keep or guard and meta, meaning goal or finish line.
Which one should you use?
While portero is a standard term in Spain, arquero is much more common in many parts of Latin America. Other specialized or rare terms include cancerbero, which is an old-fashioned way to refer to a goalkeeper and the terms cuidapalos or guardapalos.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Regional preferences vary significantly: arquero is used primarily in Latin American countries, while portero is the preferred term in Mexico, Argentina and Colombia. In Spain, portero is the standard, though guardameta is also commonly used there. In Uruguay, the specific term golero is used.
How does it change in a sentence?
Guardameta and cuidapalos can be used as either masculine or feminine nouns. Pascón and its alternative spelling pazcón are feminine. All other forms are listed as masculine.
How do you pronounce it?
/poɾˈteɾo/
Did you know?
- A goalkeeper can be called a cancerbero, a term borrowed from Greek mythology that refers to the three-headed dog that guards the underworld.
- The term arquero relates to the word for an 'archer' because it shares the same root, arco, meaning 'bow'.
- In Spanish, the word portero is a homonym that also means 'doorman' or 'concierge' in a residential building.
Examples in context
- El portero de Francia se tiró al suelo y paró el disparo de Ronaldo.The goalkeeper for France dived to the ground and saved Ronaldo’s shot.This sentence shows the action of a portero saving a shot.Tatoeba #4982040 by cesare, translation #3579526 by trieuho
- Iker Casillas es el mejor portero del mundo.Iker Casillas is the best goalkeeper in the world.This sentence uses portero to describe a famous player.Tatoeba #669413 by Jose_Gomez, translation #928808 by CK
- Tom jugó como portero para el equipo de futbol de su escuela.Tom played as goalkeeper for his school's soccer team.This sentence describes playing the position of portero for a school team.Tatoeba #10711453 by DJ_Saidez, translation #9451948 by DJ_Saidez
- El portero del equipo hizo una gran parada.The goalkeeper of the team made a great save.
Example conversation
Elena and Mateo are talking about their local soccer game.
- Elena¿Quién va a jugar de portero hoy?Who is going to play as goalkeeper today?
- MateoCreo que Mateo será el portero.I think Mateo will be the goalkeeper.
- ElenaÉl es un portero muy rápido.He is a very fast goalkeeper.
- MateoGracias, Elena, haré mi mejor esfuerzo.Thanks, Elena, I will do my best.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “goalkeeper” translations and entries arquero, golero, guardameta, portero, cancerbero, guardavalla, cuidapalos, pascón, pazcón, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries arquero, golero, guardameta, portero, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
