QUICK ANSWER
"Agente" is a noun which is often translated as "agent", and "paciente" is an adjective which is often translated as "patient". Learn more about the difference between "agente" and "paciente" below.
el agente, la agente(
ah
-
hehn
-
teh
)This means that the noun can be masculine or feminine, depending on the gender of the noun it refers to (e.g., el doctor, la doctora).
a. agent
¿Cómo se llama el agente que representa a la escritora a la que conoces?What's the name of the agent who's representing that writer you know?
b. representative
Me ascendieron y ahora soy agente del departamento de ventas.I've been promoted, and now I'm a representative for the sales department.
a. official
Un agente del ayuntamiento me vino a ver para hablar del problema.A council official came to see me to discuss the problem.
b. officer
El preso intentó sobornar a un agente penitenciario para que le dejara ingresar un celular.The prisoner tried to bribe a prison officer to let him bring in a cellphone.
c. member of staff
Gracias por su correo. Uno de nuestros agentes se contactará con usted pronto.Thank you for your email. A member of staff will be in touch with you soon.
a. police officer
La calle estaba llena de agentes y carros de policía.The street was full of police officers and police cars.
b. policeman (masculine)
El agente no llevaba uniforme cuando detuvo al ladrón.The policeman was in plain clothes when he arrested the robber.
c. policewoman (feminine)
La agente se identificó con su placa oficial.The policewoman used her official badge to identify herself.
A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
a. agent
¿Qué tipo de agente infeccioso causa esta enfermedad?What type of infectious agent causes this disease?
paciente(
pah
-
syehn
-
teh
)An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
1. (tolerant)
This means that the noun can be masculine or feminine, depending on the gender of the noun it refers to (e.g., el doctor, la doctora).
a. patient
En este momento, el hospital está tratando a doscientos pacientes.Right now, the hospital is treating two hundred patients.
