sustituto
/sustiˈtuto/
The English word surrogate is translated into Spanish as sustituto.
A sustituto refers to a person or animal that acts as a substitute for another. While sustituto is a general term for any substitute, if you are specifically discussing a surrogate mother in a medical or legal context, Spanish speakers often use the expression madre de alquiler.
Meaning: person or animal that acts as a substitute for another (noun)
Which one should you use?
Sustituto is a general term for any substitute, whereas madre de alquiler is specifically used when referring to a surrogate mother. Another synonym, suplente, is commonly used for people acting as substitutes in official roles or in sports, such as a substitute teacher or a player.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, the term gestación por sustitución is commonly employed when discussing surrogacy.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun is gender-coded. Use the feminine form sustituta if the surrogate is female. The plural form is sustitutos, which is also used as the masculine plural to refer to a mixed-gender group.
How do you pronounce it?
/sustiˈtuto/
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, using the phrase madre de alquiler can carry a social stigma because it translates literally to 'rented mother'.
- In some formal Spanish contexts, a substitute is referred to as an interino, a term often used for temporary teachers or officials who fill a vacancy.
- The term suplente is often used in political contexts to describe a person who is a 'proxy' or a secondary candidate on a ballot.
Examples in context
- Concejala Rosario, ¿qué opina sobre la maternidad subrogada?Councilwoman Rosario, what is your opinion on surrogacy?
- ¿Qué opinas sobre la gestación por sustitución?What is your opinion on gestation through substitution?
- ¿Has oído de la gestación subrogada?Have you heard of surrogate gestation?
- La pareja decidió optar por la maternidad subrogada para cumplir su sueño de tener un hijo.The couple decided to pursue surrogacy to fulfill their dream of having a child.
- Él es el sustituto del capitán.He is the captain's substitute.
- Necesitamos un sustituto para la función de hoy.We need a substitute for today's performance.
- El jugador entró como sustituto en el segundo tiempo.The player entered as a substitute in the second half.
Example conversation
In a theater during a rehearsal.
- Javier¿Dónde está el actor principal?Where is the main actor?
- SofíaEstá enfermo, así que usaremos un sustituto.He is sick, so we will use a substitute.
- JavierSofía, ¿tienes un sustituto listo?Sofía, do you have a substitute ready?
- SofíaSí, Javier, ya lo tengo aquí.Yes, Javier, I already have him here.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry sustituto, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
