terratenientes
/teratenjentes/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'landowners' is terratenientes in Spanish.
You can also use the phrase terratenientes de menor escala to specifically mean small-scale landowners.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some Latin American countries, Terratenientes refers to wealthy landowners or landlords. In parts of Central America and the Caribbean, the term Finqueros is used for individuals who own agricultural lands or estates.
How does it change in a sentence?
The singular form is terrateniente (landowner) and the plural form is terratenientes (landowners).
How do you pronounce it?
/teratenjentes/
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, the term latifundista is used to describe a landowner who owns a massive, often underutilized, estate. This term carries a much heavier political and social weight than the neutral terrateniente.
- While terrateniente is a neutral term for an owner, using patrón to refer to a landowner in a rural setting can imply a paternalistic or even authoritarian relationship with workers.
- The word terrateniente is built from 'tierra' meaning 'earth' or 'land' and 'tener' meaning 'to hold'. It literally translates to 'land-holder'.
Examples in context
- Señor González es un propietario de tierras respetadoMr. González is a respected landowner
- Los dueños de terrenos están desarrollando un nuevo proyecto inmobiliario.The landowners are developing a new real estate project.
- Señor Hernández es un destacado propietario de tierras en la región.Mr. Hernández is a prominent landowner in the region.
- Estos predios pertenecen a varios pequeños propietarios.These lands belong to various small landowners.
- Los terratenientes controlan gran parte de la región.The landowners control a large part of the region.
- Muchos terratenientes vivían en grandes mansiones.Many landowners lived in large mansions.
- La ley protege los derechos de los terratenientes.The law protects the rights of the landowners.
Example conversation
Elena and Daniel are discussing a history book.
- ElenaEl libro habla sobre los terratenientes del siglo diecinueve.The book talks about the landowners of the nineteenth century.
- DanielParece que tenían mucho poder político.It seems they had a lot of political power.
- ElenaSí, dominaban toda la economía regional.Yes, they dominated the entire regional economy.
- DanielEs un tema muy interesante, Elena.It is a very interesting topic, Elena.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
