Spanish word

sargento

Pronunciation

IPA/saɾˈxento/

Meaning

  • masculine nounsergeant

Example

Mi hermano es sargento en el ejército.

My brother is a sergeant in the army.

Illustration for sargento (sergeant)

More examples

El sargento primero corrigió la formación del pelotón.

The sergeant first class corrected the platoon's formation.

Core concept

Uniformed squad leader responsible for order and direct supervision.

Common phrases

  • sargento primero

    sergeant first class

  • sargento de infantería

    infantry sergeant

Similar words

cabo: Low-ranking enlisted leader who supervises a small team's hands-on tasks and routines.
teniente: Junior commissioned officer who assists commanders and oversees unit operations.
oficial: Commissioned officer who holds formal authority to organize and direct within the force.
capitán: Senior officer who commands a unit and makes key tactical decisions.

Definition in Spanish

Grado de suboficial en el ejército o en la policía, responsable del orden y del mando directo sobre un grupo pequeño.

Word origin

Borrowed through Old French sergent from Latin serviens 'servant', the word originally means 'attendant' and shifts to denote lower-ranking officers who supervise small groups.

Usage tips

  • Although it matches the English 'sergeant', in Spanish sargento specifically denotes a subofficer rank and does not always imply equivalent authority across services.

Opposites

Word lists with this word