Spanish Conversation · Level 72
60 words
Spanish word
telefonista
Pronunciation
IPA/telefoˈnista/
Meaning
- noun (m./f.)telephone operator
Example
La telefonista atendió mi llamada.
The telephone operator answered my call.
More examples
Si la telefonista no responde, deja un mensaje.
If the telephone operator does not answer, leave a message.
Core concept
Worker who answers phones, takes messages, and passes calls to the appropriate person.
Common phrases
comunicarse con la telefonista
contact the telephone operator
la telefonista del hospital
the hospital telephone operator
Similar words
recepcionista: Greets visitors at a front desk, handles inquiries, and forwards incoming calls.
secretaria: Handles an office's administrative tasks and screens or organizes calls for a supervisor.
operador: Operates switching equipment or lines to connect calls and manage telephone connections.
Definition in Spanish
Persona cuya función es contestar teléfonos, gestionar mensajes y pasar llamadas al departamento o persona correspondiente.
Word origin
Formed from teléfono plus the agent-forming suffix -ista, with teléfono ultimately from Greek tele- 'far' and phonē 'voice'.
Usage tips
- The term often implies routing and message-taking rather than technical control of equipment, so operador/operadora may be a closer match in technical settings.
Other meanings
- switchboard operatornoun
- switchboard attendantnoun
Related words
- teléfonotelephonenoun
- telefónicotelephonicadjective