What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is a literal translation of "human resources": recursos means "resources" and humanos means "human".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For formal written Spanish, the correct way to abbreviate the phrase is RR. HH, which includes a space and dots in accordance with the rules for plural abbreviations. Other formal alternatives include Departamento de Recursos Humanos or Gestión de Personal.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, the term Departamento de Personal may be used. In Argentina, Área de Personal is occasionally used to refer to human resources.
How does it change in a sentence?
When you are referring to the specific department as a single entity, it is common to use the phrase el departamento de recursos humanos. The standard form recursos humanos is masculine and plural.
Did you know?
- The word recurso can also mean 'legal remedy' in Spanish law, so in a legal context, recursos refers to appeals rather than personnel.
- The abbreviation RR. HH. doubles its letters because in Spanish, the plural of an abbreviation is formed by duplicating the initial letter of each word.
- In many Spanish-speaking corporate environments, calling the department recursos humanos can sometimes feel overly clinical or dehumanizing to employees.
Examples in context
- Aquellos interesados en la vacante de empleo pueden enviar su hoja de vida al correo electrónico de recursos humanos.Those interested in the employment vacancy can send their resume to the human resources e-mail.This sentence shows how to provide a contact email for the recursos humanos department.Tatoeba #4391395 by umano, translation #4435319 by LB
- En mi empresa, el Departamento de Recursos Humanos se encarga de contratar nuevos empleados.In my company, the Department of Human Resources is in charge of hiring new employees.
- ¿Has hablado con alguien de RH sobre la solicitud de vacaciones?Have you spoken to someone from HR about the vacation request?
- Tengo una reunión con recursos humanos.I have a meeting with human resources.
- Ella trabaja en el departamento de recursos humanos.She works in the human resources department.
Example conversation
Elena and Mateo are talking in an office hallway.
- Elena¿Sabes dónde está la oficina de recursos humanos?Do you know where the human resources office is?
- MateoSí, está al final del pasillo.Yes, it is at the end of the hallway.
- ElenaGracias, Mateo, necesito hablar con ellos.Thanks, Mateo, I need to talk to them.
- MateoEspero que todo vaya bien.I hope everything goes well.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “human resources” translations, 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.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
