Which one should you use?
The masculine plural form camareros is used for a group of male waiters or a mixed-gender group of waiters. For a group consisting only of female waiters, the feminine plural form camareras is used.
Is it said differently in some regions?
While camareros is widely recognized and appropriate in most Spanish-speaking regions, other terms exist. In many Latin American countries, it is common to use mesero for a male waiter and mesera for a female waitress. In certain parts of Latin America and the Caribbean, garzón (male) and garzona (female) are used. Additionally, in some Latin American countries, the word mozos is commonly used to refer to waiters.
How does it change in a sentence?
For the term camarero, the masculine singular form is camarero and the feminine singular form is camarera. The feminine plural form for female waiters is camareras.
How do you pronounce it?
/kamaɾeɾos/
Did you know?
- The word camarero comes from cámara, meaning 'room'. Historically, it referred to a chamberlain or a personal servant who looked after a private room.
- In Spain, a camarera de piso is not a restaurant waiter but a housekeeping maid in a hotel.
- The word mozo is used for waiters in the Southern Cone, but in other regions it simply means a 'young man' or a delivery boy.
Examples in context
- Por favor, camarero, ¿me trae la carta?Excuse me, waiter, could you bring me the menu, please?
- Mesero, ¿me puede traer la cuenta, por favor?Waiter, could you bring me the bill, please?
- Los camareros son muy amables.The waiters are very kind.
- Necesitamos llamar a los camareros.We need to call the waiters.
- Hay muchos camareros en el restaurante.There are many waiters in the restaurant.
Example conversation
María and Alejandro are dining at a busy restaurant.
- María¿Viste a los camareros?Did you see the waiters?
- AlejandroNo, María, están muy ocupados hoy.No, María, they are very busy today.
- MaríaEs verdad, los camareros corren por todo el lugar.It is true, the waiters are running all over the place.
- AlejandroVamos a esperar un poco más.Let's wait a little longer.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
