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"Rol" is a noun which is often translated as "role", and "papel" is a noun which is often translated as "paper". Learn more about the difference between "rol" and "papel" below.
el rol(
rrohl
)A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
a. role
Conseguí el rol principal en la película porque conozco al director.I got the starring role in the movie because I know the director.
a. part
¿La Reina cumple un rol importante en el proceso de toma de decisiones?Does the Queen play an important part in the decision-making process?
3. (nautical)
a. muster
Tu nombre no figura en el rol. ¿Eres un polizón?Your name isn't on the muster. Are you a stowaway?
4. (colloquial) (trip) (Central America) (Mexico)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in Central America: Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama
Regionalism used in Mexico
el papel(
pah
-
pehl
)A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
1. (material)
a. paper (uncountable)
Mucha gente ya no escribe con papel y pluma.Many people don't write with pen and paper anymore.
b. sheet of paper (countable)
¿Me prestas un papel, por favor?Can you please lend me a sheet of paper?
c. piece of paper (countable)
El viento se llevó todos los papeles.The wind carried away all the pieces of paper.
a. document
Le falta un papel necesario, y por lo tanto no puede sacar su licencia de conducir.He's missing a required document, so he can't get his driver's license.
3. (drama)
4. (position)
a. role
El empleado no sabe definir bien su papel en la empresa.The employee doesn't know how to properly define his role in the company.