subcontratado
/subkontɾatado/from spelling rules
The English word "outsourced" is translated into Spanish as subcontratado.
This term describes something obtained by paying an outside company or person to perform a task instead of doing it internally. You can also use externalizado or externalizada to describe tasks or jobs in business contexts, or refer to the process itself as externalización (outsourcing).
What does it mean word for word?
The prefix sub- in subcontratado functions similarly to the English "sub-", implying a secondary or subordinate contract.
Which one should you use?
While subcontratado is a common way to express the idea, externalizado/a is a standard formal term and contratado/a externamente is a formal phrase that emphasizes the specific action of hiring external resources or services.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The term subcontratado/a is widely used across Latin America.
How does it change in a sentence?
As an adjective, the form must agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies. For example, use subcontratada for feminine singular nouns, subcontratados for masculine plural nouns or externalizada to describe a specific task or job as outsourced.
How do you pronounce it?
/subkontɾatado/
Did you know?
- The process of outsourcing is sometimes referred to as tercerización in countries like Colombia and Peru, coming from the word tercero meaning 'third party'.
- While subcontratado is common, Spanish speakers often use the English word 'outsourcing' directly in professional settings because it is seen as a modern global business term.
- While subcontratado refers to the contract, in many Spanish-speaking countries, the word subcontratación can sometimes carry a negative connotation of precarious or unstable employment.
Examples in context
- La empresa ha externalizado su servicio de atención al cliente.The company has outsourced its customer service.
- El proyecto fue contratado externamente.The project was outsourced.
- La tarea ha sido externalizada para agilizar los procesos internos.The task has been outsourced to speed up internal processes.
- Hemos subcontratado el desarrollo del software.We have outsourced the software development.
- La empresa ha externalizado a un tercero los servicios de limpieza.The company has outsourced the cleaning services to a third party.
- El servicio técnico es subcontratado.The technical service is outsourced.
- Todo el departamento de limpieza es subcontratado.The entire cleaning department is outsourced.
- Buscamos un equipo de diseño subcontratado.We are looking for an outsourced design team.
Example conversation
Lucía and Mateo are discussing the company's budget in an office.
- Lucía¿Es un empleado directo o subcontratado?Is he a direct employee or outsourced?
- MateoEs un trabajador subcontratado de una agencia.He is an outsourced worker from an agency.
- LucíaEntiendo, eso explica por qué no tiene oficina.I see, that explains why he doesn't have an office.
- MateoExacto, así ahorramos costes este mes.Exactly, that way we save costs this month.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
