What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of educadora (female educator) and infantil (infant/child-related).
Is it said differently in some regions?
Different Spanish-speaking regions use specific terms: Maestro de Jardín de Infantes is used in some Latin American countries like Argentina and Uruguay to mean kindergarten teacher. Educadora de Párvulos is used mainly in Chile to mean preschool educator. And Profesor(a) de Preescolar is used in Mexico to mean preschool teacher.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase changes depending on gender and number: educador infantil is the masculine form for a male nursery teacher. educadoras infantiles is the feminine plural for a group of female teachers. And educadores infantiles is the masculine/mixed plural used for a group of male teachers or a mixed-gender group.
How do you pronounce it?
/edukadoɾa infantil/
Did you know?
- In Argentina, a Maestro de Jardín is often addressed by the affectionate title Seño, which is a shortened version of señora or señorita.
- The word infantil shares a root with the English word 'infantile', but in Spanish, it is a standard, professional adjective used to describe many things from 'música infantil' (children's music) to 'diseño infantil' (children's design).
- In Spain, the role of educadora infantil is strictly regulated by a specific university degree, meaning anyone without this qualification cannot legally hold the title in public schools.
Examples in context
- ¿Conoce usted a algún profesor de educación infantil? | Sí, mi hija tiene una excelente maestra de jardín de infantes en la escuela.Do you know any nursery teachers? | Yes, my daughter has an excellent kindergarten teacher at school.
- ¡Hola! ¿Conoces a algún profesor de guardería recomendable? | Sí, te sugiero hablar con la maestra de infantil de mi hijo. Es genial.Hi! Do you know any recommended nursery teachers? | Yes, I suggest you talk to my son's early childhood teacher. She's great.
- Ella es una educadora infantil excelente.She is an excellent nursery teacher.
- Busco trabajo como educadora infantil.I am looking for work as a nursery teacher.
- Mi hermana es educadora infantil en el jardín de infancia.My sister is a nursery teacher at the preschool.
Example conversation
Alejandro and Lucía are discussing their career paths in a café.
- Alejandro¿Qué hace tu hermana, Lucía?What does your sister do, Lucía?
- LucíaElla es educadora infantil en una escuela pequeña.She is a nursery teacher at a small school.
- AlejandroEse es un trabajo muy bonito.That is a very lovely job.
- LucíaSí, le encantan los niños.Yes, she loves children.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
