guardias
/ɡwaɾdjas/from spelling rules
The English phrase "guards" is translated into Spanish as guardias.
Vigilantes is used for guards performing security duties in public places like shopping malls or airports and Centinelas can be used to refer to guards who stand watch or keep surveillance in a specific area. Additionally, the singular noun guardia can also refer to a person's duty shift or being 'on call' in a medical context, such as in the phrase la guardia.
How does it change in a sentence?
The singular form of the noun is guardia.
How do you pronounce it?
/ɡwaɾdjas/
Did you know?
- The Spanish word guardia shares a root with the English word 'guard', both deriving from the Germanic root for 'to watch' or 'to protect'. This makes it a rare example of a non-Latin root entering Spanish via early Germanic influences.
- In Spain, the Guardia Civil is a gendarmerie force that is both a police force and a branch of the army. While guardias can mean any guards, referring to these officers specifically implies a military-style jurisdiction.
- In some Latin American countries, la guardia can refer to a specific protective escort or a bodyguard detail. This differs from vigilantes, who are typically stationary security guards.
Examples in context
- ¿Dónde están los guardias?Where are the guards?This sentence is useful for asking about the location of the guardias.Tatoeba #2881712 by marcelostockle, translation #1787896 by sadhen
- Los guardias no nos vieron.The guards didn't see us.This sentence is useful for describing that the guardias did not see certain people.Tatoeba #4709877 by DarkHollow, translation #3910185 by CH
- ¿Cómo mataste a los guardias?How did you kill the guards?This sentence is useful for asking about an action involving the guardias.Tatoeba #2881707 by marcelostockle, translation #1787903 by sadhen
- Los centinelas protegen los muros del castilloThe guards protect the castle walls
- Mi guardaespaldas me acompaña a todas partesMy bodyguard accompanies me everywhere
- Mi hermano trabaja como guardaespaldas de un famoso actorMy brother works as a bodyguard for a famous actor
- Los guardias del museo están protegiendo las obras de arteThe guards at the museum are protecting the artworks
- Los vigilantes del centro comercial están atentos a cualquier situación sospechosaThe guards at the shopping mall are attentive to any suspicious situation
- 10 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Daniel and María are walking near a museum entrance.
- DanielLos guardias están patrullando el edificio.The guards are patrolling the building.
- MaríaParece que son muy estrictos.It seems like they are very strict.
- DanielNo deberíamos acercarnos tanto a los guardias.We shouldn't get too close to the guards.
- MaríaTienes razón, Daniel, vamos por allá.You're right, Daniel, let's go over there.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
