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"Encargado" is a form of "encargado", an adjective which is often translated as "in charge". "Portero" is a noun which is often translated as "manager". Learn more about the difference between "encargado" and "portero" below.
encargado, el encargado, la encargada(
ehng
-
kahr
-
gah
-
doh
)An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
a. in charge
¿Quién es la persona encargada de este proyecto de construcción?Who is the person in charge of this construction project?
b. responsible
Carmen es la directora encargada de los asuntos sociales.Carmen is the director responsible for social affairs.
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. manager
Tengo una queja y quiero hablar con el encargado.I have a complaint and I want to talk to the manager.
b. person in charge
¿A qué hora llega la encargada de este turno?What time does the person in charge on this shift arrive?
el portero, la portera(
pohr
-
teh
-
roh
)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. manager
Mi prima trabaja como portera en un bloque de apartamentos en Nueva York.My cousin works as a manager in an apartment block in New York.
b. superintendent (United States)
Regionalism used in the United States
El portero nos pidió nuestros documentos de identidad para dejarnos pasar.The superintendent asked for our identity cards to let us in.
c. super (colloquial) (United States)
Regionalism used in the United States
La portera no levantó los ojos cuando entré.The super didn't look up when I came in.
d. caretaker (United Kingdom)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
El portero vigilaba todas las cámaras de seguridad.The caretaker monitored all the security cameras.
a. porter
El portero cerró la puerta antes de tiempo y pilló la bufanda de la mujer.The porter closed the door too soon and caught the woman's scarf in it.
b. concierge
La portera siempre saludaba a todos los vecinos.The concierge always greeted all the neighbors.
c. doorman (masculine)
Los hoteles con portero a menudo son más caros.Hotels that have a doorman are usually more expensive.
d. doorwoman (feminine)
La portera me ayudó con mis paquetes.The doorwoman helped me with my packages.
