Spanish Conversation · Level 29
89 words
Spanish word
capitán
Pronunciation
IPA/kapiˈtan/
Meaning
- masculine nouncaptain
Example
El capitán del equipo habló antes del partido.
The team captain spoke before the match.
More examples
El capitán del barco calmó a la tripulación antes de la tormenta.
The ship captain calmed the crew before the storm.
Core concept
Leader with formal authority within a team, ship, aircraft, or military unit.
Common phrases
el capitán del equipo
team captain
el capitán del barco
ship captain
el capitán de la selección
national team captain
Similar words
líder: Person who guides and unites a group by setting direction and inspiring members.
jefe: Work supervisor responsible for operations, assigning tasks, and ensuring results.
entrenador: Person who trains athletes, teaches technique and tactics, and runs practice sessions.
comandante: Officer who holds formal command in military or naval settings and issues orders.
Definition in Spanish
Título y cargo que indica autoridad dentro de una unidad, como el capitán de un equipo deportivo, el responsable de una nave o un oficial con grado militar.
Word origin
It derives from Latin caput 'head' via medieval Latin capitaneus and Old French capitain into Spanish as capitán.
Usage tips
- A clarifying phrase such as del equipo, de la nave, or del ejército indicates which kind of captain is meant, and the acute accent falls on the final syllable capitán.
Opposites
- subordinadosubordinatenoun
Related words
- capitanearcaptainverb
- capitaníacaptaincynoun