maquinista
/makiˈnista/
The Spanish word for machinist is maquinista.
The term maquinista refers to a person skilled in the use of machine tools.
Meaning: one skilled in the use of machine tools (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is formed from máquina (machine) and the suffix -ista, which denotes a person who practices a specific activity or profession.
How does it change in a sentence?
maquinista is a common gender noun, meaning the word itself does not change to indicate gender. To specify the gender of the machinist, you only change the article: use el maquinista for a male machinist and la maquinista for a female machinist.
How do you pronounce it?
/makiˈnista/
Did you know?
- While maquinista refers to a machinist, in many Spanish-speaking countries, it is also the standard word for a train driver.
- In the film and theater industry, a maquinista is a stage technician responsible for the scenery and moving parts of a set.
- The suffix -ista in maquinista is a direct descendant of the Ancient Greek suffix -tḗs, which was used to denote a person who performs an action.
Examples in context
- Hoy tengo una reunión con el maquinista de la fábrica.Today, I have a meeting with the machinist from the factory.
- Mi tío es operario de máquinas y siempre me enseña cómo funcionan.My uncle is a machinist, and he always teaches me how they work.
- Necesitamos contratar un mecánico especializado en máquinas para nuestro taller.We need to hire a mechanic specialized in machines for our workshop.
- Ella trabaja como maquinista en la fábrica.She works as a machinist in the factory.
Example conversation
Lucía and Alejandro are discussing a new hire at their company.
- LucíaAlejandro, ¿ya encontramos un maquinista para el proyecto?Alejandro, did we find a machinist for the project yet?
- AlejandroSí, Lucía, contratamos a uno ayer.Yes, Lucía, we hired one yesterday.
- Lucía¿Tiene mucha experiencia como maquinista?Does he have a lot of experience as a machinist?
- AlejandroSí, trabajó diez años en una planta metalúrgica.Yes, he worked ten years in a metallurgical plant.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry maquinista, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries maquinista, CC BY-SA 4.0.
