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deputy and Spanish diputado
In English
deputy
a second-in-command / assistant
In Spanish
diputado
miembro del congreso
Spanish "diputado" means: congressman / representative
Why they get mixed up Spanish "diputado" is an elected representative in parliament or a legislature. English "deputy" is someone's second-in-command or assistant, like a deputy sheriff. It doesn't mean a lawmaker.
If you want to say...
- deputysubdirector o ayudante
- representativediputado
- deputy mayorvicealcalde
Examples
The deputy sheriff arrived.
Llegó el subcomisario.
She's the deputy director.
Es la subdirectora.
The deputy mayor took over while the mayor was away.
El vicealcalde asumió el cargo mientras el alcalde estaba fuera.
Ask the deputy head of the school.
Pregunta al subdirector de la escuela.
Common mistakes in Spanish
Incorrect: El diputado del director firmó los documentos.
Correct: El subdirector firmó los documentos.
Diputado is an elected legislator. For a deputy, use subdirector, adjunto or vice.
Incorrect: Mi hermano es diputado del sheriff.
Correct: Mi hermano es ayudante del sheriff.
A sheriff's deputy is un ayudante del sheriff.
Phrases you will hear
- a deputy mayorun vicealcalde
- deputy directorsubdirector
- a sheriff's deputyun ayudante del sheriff
- deputy prime ministerviceprimer ministro
- a member of parliamentun diputado
- a representativeun representante
In a conversation
- A:
Is she the director?
¿Ella es la directora?
- B:
No, she's the deputy director.
No, es la subdirectora.
- A:
And who is the congressman?
¿Y quién es el congresista?
- B:
He is a representative from our district.
Es un representante de nuestro distrito.
Test yourself
"The deputy manager" is...
To remember it
Deputy = second-in-command/assistant. A member of congress (Spanish "diputado") = congressman.
Frequently asked questions
What does Spanish "diputado" mean?
Spanish "diputado" means "congressman / representative". It looks like the English "deputy", which is exactly why it gets confused, but "deputy" means "a second-in-command / assistant".
Does English "deputy" mean the same as Spanish "diputado"?
Spanish "diputado" is an elected representative in parliament or a legislature. English "deputy" is someone's second-in-command or assistant, like a deputy sheriff. It doesn't mean a lawmaker.