piloto
/piˈloto/masculine
The Spanish word for pilot is piloto. Wiktionary also lists aeronauta.
Meaning: controller of aircraft (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| piloto | /piˈloto/ | masculine |
| aeronauta | /aeɾoˈnauta/ | feminine, masculine |
The noun refers to a controller of an aircraft. Related verbs include pilotar and pilotear, which mean to control or fly an aircraft or watercraft. Additionally, piloto can be used as an adjective to mean something used as an indicator.
Which one should you use?
piloto is the standard word for a pilot, whereas aeronauta is a more formal or technical term used to describe someone who navigates the air.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The masculine form piloto can be changed to the feminine form pilota when referring to a female pilot. The word aeronauta is used for both masculine and feminine subjects.
How do you pronounce it?
/piˈloto/
Did you know?
- In some contexts, pilotear is used colloquially to mean manipulating or subtly influencing a situation or person to get a desired result.
- In many Spanish speaking countries, piloto is the common word for the small indicator light on a stove or a heater.
- The word aeronauta shares its root with the Greek word for 'sailor', naútēs, reflecting an era when flying was seen as sailing through the air.
Examples in context
- ¿Qué dijo el piloto?What did the pilot say?This sentence is useful for asking what the piloto said.Tatoeba #3762232 by marcelostockle, translation #3762056 by Jop
- Tom quiere ser piloto.Tom wants to be a pilot.This sentence is useful for stating someone wants to be a piloto.Tatoeba #580201 by Shishir, translation #37225 by CK
- El piloto insinuó que podría ser un ovni.The pilot hinted that it might be a UFO.This sentence is useful for describing a hint made by a piloto.Tatoeba #962849 by marcelostockle, translation #35515 by CK
- El piloto aterrizará el aviónThe pilot will land the plane.
- Los aviadores son expertos en navegación aéreaAviators are experts in air navigation.
- Mi amigo es piloto de helicópteroMy friend is a helicopter pilot.
- El piloto, un verdadero aventurero del aire, aterrizó en una isla remotaThe pilot, a true air adventurer, landed on a remote island.
- 30 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Elena and Alejandro are waiting for their flight at the airport.
- ElenaMira, allí está el piloto del avión.Look, there is the pilot of the plane.
- AlejandroSe ve muy profesional, Alejandro.He looks very professional, Alejandro.
- Elena¿Tú crees que el piloto sea joven?Do you think the pilot is young?
- AlejandroParece que tiene mucha experiencia.It seems that he has a lot of experience.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “pilot” translations and entries piloto, aeronauta, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries aeronauta, piloto, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
