sargento primero
/saɾxento pɾimeɾo/from spelling rules
The English phrase staff sergeant is translated into Spanish as sargento primero.
sargento primero is the standard way to express the rank of staff sergeant in many Spanish-speaking military contexts.
Meaning: military rank above sergeant (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The term sargento primero literally translates to 'first sergeant'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some Latin American countries like Mexico, sargento primero may be used for staff sergeant in specific military contexts.
How does it change in a sentence?
To make sargento primero plural, both the noun and the adjective must be pluralized to sargentos primeros.
How do you pronounce it?
/saɾxento pɾimeɾo/
Did you know?
- The term sargento underwent a massive semantic shift from the Latin servus, which referred to a slave or a serf, to a professional military officer.
- In some Spanish-speaking regions, sargento is used as a colloquial label for any overly strict authority figure, even those with no military background.
Examples in context
- Si tienes alguna pregunta, puedes hablar con el sargento mayor Rodríguez.If you have any questions, you can speak with staff sergeant Rodríguez.
- El sargento primero llegó al cuartel.The staff sergeant arrived at the barracks.
- Él fue ascendido a sargento primero ayer.He was promoted to staff sergeant yesterday.
- Necesitamos hablar con el sargento primero.We need to speak with the staff sergeant.
Example conversation
In a military base, Lucía asks Alejandro about a superior.
- Lucía¿Sabes dónde está el sargento primero?Do you know where the staff sergeant is?
- AlejandroCreo que está revisando el equipo.I think he is checking the equipment.
- LucíaDile que lo busco en la oficina.Tell him I am looking for him in the office.
- AlejandroEstá bien, yo se lo diré.Okay, I will tell him.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries primero, sargento, CC BY-SA 4.0.
