¿Qué quiere decir "maestro"?

Question

I looked in the dictionary and saw that "maestro" can mean foreman. There are some workers next to my desk right now, I think furniture movers, and one addressed the other as "maestro" before asking him for instructions. What does it mean in this context, and does the use of that word indicate something about his background?

¿ should be at the beginning. You can find it at the bottom of the box when you are posting your question. - Eddy, Mar 9, 2011

In addition to Eddy, the is a tilde on the E in the "Qué" ;-) - DJ_Huero, Mar 9, 2011

Thanks. I didn't think we could use those characters in the top box, but I just tried it by cutting/pasting and it worked. - Intense, Mar 9, 2011

Answer 1

Maestro proviene del termino latino"magister" y se aplica a cualquiera que enseña algo a los demás.Los que aprenden de él, le llaman maestro. Generalmente se llama maestro al profesor de enseñanza primaria,al profesor de niños. También se usa para personas que desarrollan algunas profesiones ,generalmente manuales,de manera muy eficiente:"maestro panadero""maestro pastelero",etc. Logicamente, se puede usar con ironia y doble sentido: " Un ganster de Chicago podría decir : Al Capone fué mi maestro"

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Buena explicación.:) - Deanski, Mar 10, 2011

Answer 2

In Peru we use "maestro" as "profesor" (teacher), and, as above, like "master" but also, in slang, as "amigo" or "tío" (pal).

I suspect that it was being used as tío/pal. - Intense, Mar 9, 2011

Answer 3

It literally means "master" but also is used as teacher.

It sounds like the person was talking to his superior.

¡Exacto! Por ejemplo, en esa corrido de Banda Los Recoditos se llama, "La Escuelita". Jaja... - DJ_Huero, Mar 9, 2011

Dicen, "pues yo soy tu maestro chiquita aquel que en el campo, tenia su escuelita y amar te enseño". =) - DJ_Huero, Mar 9, 2011

Answer 4

It's a title used toward someone with expertise on the job at hand. Often used toward teachers as well.

Answer 5

My understanding is that it can mean "a master of one's craft/profession".

Answer 6

Such great information from everybody, thanks. Later the man needed to speak with me so I worked up the courage to ask him. My memory is very bad. He said it is a term of endearment, but I can't remember if it is specifically directed toward someone older. I asked him several questions and in the course of conversation he mentioned that he and his crew are from Michoacán, Mexico. I wish I would have asked him if that usage is common in that state. Anyone out there from Michoacán that can comment on the use of "maestro" as a term of endearment?