guardián
/ɡwaɾˈdjan/
The English word 'keeper' can be translated into Spanish as guardián.
The term refers to a person who acts as a guard or custodian.
Meaning: guard, custodian (noun)
Which one should you use?
While guardián is a standard term, custodio is a formal alternative that places a stronger emphasis on the act of guarding or protecting.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Argentina and Uruguay, portero/a can be used to refer to a keeper of buildings or properties. In Spain, particularly in Andalusia, sereno/a denotes a night-time keeper or someone responsible for watching over the streets.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun guardián changes its ending to guardiana when referring to a female keeper or guard. To express the plural form, use guardianes.
How do you pronounce it?
/ɡwaɾˈdjan/
Did you know?
- In a sports context, a goalkeeper is called a portero, which literally means 'door-keeper'. This links the role of guarding a goal to the role of a doorman or building keeper.
- The term sereno for a night keeper comes from the word for 'serene' or 'clear'. It refers to the calm of the night when these guards performed their duties in Spanish streets.
- The word guardián descends from the Gothic word wardjan, which is the root for the English word 'ward'.
Examples in context
- Dios dijo a Caín: "¿Dónde está tu hermano Abel?" Contestó: "No sé. ¿Soy yo acaso el guardián de mi hermano?"And the Lord said to Cain: Where is thy brother Abel? And he answered: I know not: am I my brother's keeper?This sentence shows the use of guardián in a biblical context regarding one's responsibility toward another person.Tatoeba #7950908 by carlosalberto, translation #7940257 by carlosalberto
- El guardián del museo cuida las obras de arte con gran dedicación.The museum keeper takes care of the artworks with great dedication.
- Los custodios de la joyería tienen la tarea de proteger las piezas valiosas.The keepers of the jewelry store have the task of protecting the valuable pieces.
- El cuidador del parque se asegura de que todo esté limpio y ordenado.The park keeper ensures that everything is clean and tidy.
- El portero del edificio mantiene la seguridad y se asegura de que todo funcione correctamente.The building's keeper maintains security and ensures that everything works correctly.
- El guardián del bosque vigila a los turistas.The forest keeper monitors the tourists.
- Necesitamos un nuevo guardián para el museo.We need a new custodian for the museum.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucía and Alejandro are visiting a historical site.
- LucíaMira, allí está el guardián del lugar.Look, there is the keeper of the place.
- AlejandroParece que conoce muy bien la historia.It seems he knows the history very well.
- Lucía¿Crees que el guardián nos deje entrar?Do you think the keeper will let us in?
- AlejandroSí, creo que él nos dará permiso.Yes, I think he will give us permission.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry guardián, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries guardián, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
