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librarian and Spanish librero
In English
librarian
the person who works at a library
In Spanish
librero
vendedor
Spanish "librero" means: bookseller
Why they get mixed up Spanish "librero" can be someone who sells books or the bookshelf where they're kept. English "librarian" is the professional who works at a public library lending books. A bookseller in English is "bookseller."
If you want to say...
- librarianbibliotecario
- booksellerlibrero
- bookshelflibrero (mueble)
Examples
Ask the librarian for help.
Pídele ayuda al bibliotecario.
She works as a librarian.
Trabaja como bibliotecaria.
The librarian recommended a great mystery novel.
La bibliotecaria me recomendó una gran novela de misterio.
He trained to become a librarian.
Estudió para convertirse en bibliotecario.
Common mistakes in Spanish
Incorrect: Mi tío es librero: trabaja en la biblioteca municipal.
Correct: Mi tío es bibliotecario: trabaja en la biblioteca municipal.
Librero is a bookseller or a bookshelf. A librarian is bibliotecario.
Incorrect: Le pedí un libro prestado al librero.
Correct: Le pedí un libro prestado al bibliotecario.
Borrowing books is done at a library with a bibliotecario.
Phrases you will hear
- a school librarianun bibliotecario escolar
- ask the librarianpreguntarle al bibliotecario
- a library cardun carnet de biblioteca
- a booksellerun librero
- a bookstore clerkun vendedor de libros
- a bookshelfun librero (mueble)
In a conversation
- A:
Ask the librarian for help.
Pídele ayuda a la bibliotecaria.
- B:
Where is she?
¿Dónde está?
- A:
Behind the desk. She works at the library.
Detrás del mostrador. Trabaja en la biblioteca.
- B:
And the bookseller works at the bookstore, right?
Y el librero trabaja en la librería, ¿verdad?
Test yourself
"The librarian" is...
To remember it
Librarian = the person who works at a library. A bookseller (Spanish "librero") = bookseller.
Frequently asked questions
What does Spanish "librero" mean?
Spanish "librero" means "bookseller". It looks like the English "librarian", which is exactly why it gets confused, but "librarian" means "the person who works at a library".
Does English "librarian" mean the same as Spanish "librero"?
Spanish "librero" can be someone who sells books or the bookshelf where they're kept. English "librarian" is the professional who works at a public library lending books. A bookseller in English is "bookseller."