cartero
/kaɾˈteɾo/
The Spanish word for postal worker is cartero.
A postal worker is a person whose job is to deliver letters and packages.
What does it mean word for word?
The word cartero is composed of carta (letter) and the suffix -ero, which denotes a person associated with a specific object or trade.
How does it change in a sentence?
The feminine form is cartera. For a group of male postal workers or a mixed-gender group, use the plural masculine form carteros.
How do you pronounce it?
/kaɾˈteɾo/
Did you know?
- While cartero means a postal worker, the feminine form cartera is also the common word for a 'handbag' or 'purse'.
- The word carta shares an ancient ancestor with the English word 'chart', both tracing back to the Greek word for papyrus or paper.
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, if you are looking for a 'mailman' specifically, you might hear the term el de correos instead of using the formal title cartero.
Examples in context
- El cartero entrega la carta.The mailman delivers the letter.
- El cartero dejó un paquete en la puerta.The postal worker left a package at the door.
- ¿Viste al cartero pasar por la calle?Did you see the postal worker pass by the street?
- El cartero siempre es muy amable con nosotros.The postal worker is always very kind to us.
Example conversation
Sofía and Alejandro are talking in their living room about a missing letter.
- Sofía¿Has visto al cartero hoy, Alejandro?Have you seen the postal worker today, Alejandro?
- AlejandroNo, no he visto a ningún cartero.No, I haven't seen any postal worker.
- SofíaEs que espero una carta importante.It's just that I am expecting an important letter.
- AlejandroQuizás el cartero venga más tarde.Perhaps the postal worker will come later.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry cartero, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cartero, CC BY-SA 4.0.
