Learning how to say “hire” in Spanish can be extremely useful, whether you’re traveling, conducting business, or simply expanding your language skills. In this comprehensive guide, we will cover the formal and informal ways to express “hire” in Spanish, along with any regional variations if necessary. So, let’s dive right in!
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Formal Ways to Say “Hire” in Spanish
When it comes to formal situations such as business settings or official communications, it’s important to use the appropriate language. Here are some different expressions you can use to say “hire” formally in Spanish:
1. Contratar
The most common and standard translation for “hire” in Spanish is contratar. This verb is widely used in contexts related to employment or engaging someone’s services.
Example: La empresa decidió contratar a un nuevo gerente. (The company decided to hire a new manager.)
2. Emplear
Another formal way to say “hire” is by using the verb emplear. It implies providing employment to someone.
Example: La organización está buscando emplear a personas con experiencia en ventas. (The organization is looking to hire people with sales experience.)
3. Designar
Although not as commonly used as the previous options, designar can also be used to convey the idea of hiring, particularly in more formal contexts where someone is being appointed or assigned a role.
Example: La compañía decidió designar a Juan como el nuevo jefe de ventas. (The company decided to hire Juan as the new sales manager.)
Informal Ways to Say “Hire” in Spanish
When speaking casually or informally, you might want to opt for a more colloquial language. Here are some informal expressions or slang terms commonly used to say “hire” in Spanish:
1. Agarrar trabajo
In many Latin American countries, people use the informal phrase agarrar trabajo to mean “to get hired” or “to get a job.”
Example: Después de buscar por varios meses, finalmente logré agarrar trabajo en una tienda de ropa. (After searching for several months, I finally managed to get hired at a clothing store.)
2. Pillar curro
In Spain, particularly in colloquial language, people might use the phrase pillar curro to refer to “getting hired” or “getting a job.” This expression is more commonly used in informal conversations.
Example: Mi hermana está buscando pillar curro en una cafetería cercana. (My sister is looking to get a job at a nearby café.)
Regional Variations
Although the previously mentioned expressions are widely understood throughout the Spanish-speaking world, it’s important to note that there might be regional variations. Let’s explore a few:
1. Chile: Contratar
In Chile, the word contratar is the most commonly used term for “hire”. They don’t have a specific regional variation for this concept.
2. Mexico: Contratar, Contratación
Mexico uses both the verb contratar and the noun contratación (meaning “hiring”) in its standard Spanish.
3. Argentina: Tomar, Contratar
In Argentina, you might come across the verbs tomar and contratar when referring to “hiring” or “getting a job”. The usage of these terms may vary depending on the region within Argentina itself.
Tips for Using “Hire” in Spanish
Here are some additional tips to help you use the different expressions for “hire” in Spanish effectively:
- Always consider the context in which you’re using the word “hire” to ensure you’re selecting the appropriate translation.
- If you’re unsure about which term to use, contratar is a safe and commonly understood option in most Spanish-speaking regions.
- When speaking informally, feel free to use the slang expressions mentioned; however, maintain awareness of the formality of the situation.
- Expand your vocabulary by learning related terms like “employee” (empleado), “job” (trabajo), or “interview” (entrevista) to enhance your understanding of employment-related conversations.
- Practice using these expressions in real-life situations or conversations with native Spanish speakers to become more comfortable and fluent.
Remember, language learning is an ongoing journey, so don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Embrace the process and enjoy expanding your linguistic horizons!
