Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| patrocinador | /patɾoθinaˈdoɾ/ /patɾosinaˈdoɾ/ |
masculine |
| auspiciador | /auspiθjaˈdoɾ/ /auspisjaˈdoɾ/ |
masculine |
| mecenas | /meˈθenas/ /meˈsenas/ |
feminine, masculine |
| sponsor | /ˈsponsoɾ/ /esˈponsoɾ/ |
feminine, masculine |
| espónsor | /esponsoɾ/ (from spelling rules) | feminine, masculine |
A sponsor is a person or organization that pays all or part of the cost of an event, publication, etc. To express the action of providing commercial sponsorship for an event or person, use the verb patrocinar.
Which one should you use?
While patrocinador is the standard term for commercial sponsorship, auspiciador is often used in more formal or institutional contexts to mean a backer or supporter of an event or cause. Use mecenas specifically when referring to a patron who provides financial support to artists, performers or cultural events. Additionally, financiador can be used as a formal term for a sponsor.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, patrocinador is the most common and widely accepted term in both formal and informal contexts. In Argentina, the word sponsor is used more frequently than mecenas when relating to sports or events.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
/patɾoθinaˈdoɾ/
Did you know?
- While English speakers use 'sponsor' for both financial backers and people who vouch for someone in a program like AA, Spanish typically uses padrino for the latter.
- The word auspiciador comes from the Latin word for 'observer of birds', specifically those who interpreted the flight of birds to predict the future. In a modern context, it has evolved from a spiritual omen-reader to a formal supporter of an event.
- The term mecenas is actually an eponym derived from Gaius Maecenas, a wealthy Roman patron of the arts during the reign of Augustus. Using this word in Spanish connects your sponsorship directly to ancient Roman traditions.
Examples in context
- La empresa busca un patrocinador para su próximo evento benéfico.The company is seeking a sponsor for their upcoming charity event.
- El proyecto de investigación contó con el respaldo de varios financiadores.The research project had the support of various sponsors.
- Gracias a mi padrino, pude realizar mi sueño de estudiar en el extranjero.Thanks to my sponsor, I was able to fulfill my dream of studying abroad.
- Muchas empresas locales actuaron como colaboradores para este evento solidario.Many local businesses acted as sponsors for this charity event.
- Buscamos un patrocinador para el torneo.We are looking for a sponsor for the tournament.
- El patrocinador principal es una empresa local.The main sponsor is a local company.
- Agradecemos a cada patrocinador por su ayuda.We thank every sponsor for their help.
Example conversation
Two colleagues are discussing a charity event at the office.
- ElenaDaniel, ¿encontraste un patrocinador para la gala?Daniel, did you find a sponsor for the gala?
- DanielSí, Elena, ya tenemos un patrocinador oficial.Yes, Elena, we already have an official sponsor.
- Elena¡Qué buena noticia! ¿Es un patrocinador grande?What great news! Is it a big sponsor?
- DanielEs una empresa muy importante en la ciudad.It is a very important company in the city.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sponsor” translations and entries patrocinador, auspiciador, mecenas, sponsor, espónsor, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries auspiciador, mecenas, patrocinador, sponsor, CC BY-SA 4.0.
