botones
/boˈtones/
The Spanish word for office boy is botones.
botones refers to a boy or a junior clerk employed within a professional office setting.
Meaning: boy or junior clerk employed in a professional office (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
/boˈtones/
Did you know?
- The word botones is the plural of botón, which means 'button'. This refers to the brass buttons that adorned the uniforms of service staff in the 19th century.
- While botones is the literal term, a modern junior office worker is more likely to be called a becario if they are an intern. Using botones today can sound antiquated or like a reference to a 1950s movie.
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, calling someone a botones in a modern corporate setting might be perceived as belittling, as it emphasizes a servant role over a professional one.
Example conversation
Sofía is asking Mateo for help with some paperwork in the office.
- SofíaMateo, ¿dónde está el botones ahora?Mateo, where is the office boy now?
- MateoCreo que el botones está en la recepción.I think the office boy is at the reception.
- SofíaDile que traiga estos papeles, por favor.Tell him to bring these papers, please.
- MateoEstá bien, yo lo llamo ahora mismo.All right, I will call him right now.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry botones, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
