هذه الصفحة بلغتك

English

فارسی

Deutsch

Español

Français

日本語

한국어

Português

中文

हिन्दी

A2 verb 11 دقيقة للقراءة

contratar

تدرّب عليها أمثلة ملاحظات ونصائح contratar في 30 ثانية

الشرح contratar in your Level:

At the A1 level, 'contratar' is a word you use to talk about simple hiring. You might use it to say 'I need to hire a person' (Necesito contratar a una persona) or 'The shop hires workers' (La tienda contrata trabajadores). You focus on the present tense and simple future. It is important to learn that when you hire a person, you use the word 'a' after 'contratar'. For example: 'Contratar a María'. You use this word when talking about jobs and basic services. It is a 'building block' for talking about the world of work. You don't need to worry about complex legal meanings yet; just think of it as the opposite of firing someone or just 'getting' a professional to help you. It is a regular verb, so it follows the same pattern as 'hablar' or 'comer'. This makes it easy to remember. Practice saying 'Yo contrato', 'Tú contratas', and 'Nosotros contratamos'. This will help you feel more confident when talking about your needs in a Spanish-speaking environment.

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

At the A2 level, you begin to use 'contratar' in more varied contexts, such as hiring services for your home or planning events. You can now use the past tense (Pretérito Indefinido) to say 'They hired a new teacher' (Contrataron a un nuevo profesor). You also start to use it with services: 'Contratar el wifi' or 'Contratar un seguro'. At this level, you should be careful not to confuse it with 'alquilar' (to rent). You hire people and services, but you rent cars and apartments. You might also encounter the noun form 'contrato' (contract). You will hear this word often in conversations about moving to a new country, starting a job, or organizing a party. It is a very practical word for daily life. You should also learn to use it with the 'personal a' consistently, as this is a key marker of progressing from A1 to A2. Try to build sentences like 'Mañana voy a contratar a un guía turístico' to practice the 'ir a + infinitive' structure with this verb.

At the B1 level, you use 'contratar' to discuss more complex professional and administrative situations. You can use the subjunctive to express desires or conditions, such as 'Espero que contraten a mi amigo' (I hope they hire my friend) or 'Si tuviera dinero, contrataría a un asistente' (If I had money, I would hire an assistant). You also start to understand the nuances between 'contratar' and its synonyms like 'emplear' or 'fichar'. You can talk about the labor market in more detail, discussing things like 'contratar por horas' (hiring by the hour) or 'contratar a tiempo completo' (hiring full-time). You will also see it used in more formal documents and news articles. At this stage, you should be comfortable using the word in different tenses and moods to express hypothetical situations. You might also learn the word 'subcontratar' (to subcontract), which is common in business. Your ability to use 'contratar' correctly in professional emails or during a job interview in Spanish will show a solid intermediate level of proficiency.

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

At the B2 level, 'contratar' becomes a tool for discussing economic trends, corporate strategy, and legal rights. You can use it to talk about 'la contratación' (the hiring process) as a general concept. You might discuss 'políticas de contratación' (hiring policies) or 'incentivos para contratar' (incentives to hire). You are expected to use the word with precision, distinguishing between hiring an individual and contracting a large service provider. You will also understand idiomatic uses and how the word functions in the passive voice in formal writing. For example, 'Fueron contratados bajo condiciones precarias' (They were hired under precarious conditions). You can debate the ethics of hiring practices or the impact of technology on how we hire people. At B2, you should also be aware of regional differences in how hiring is discussed across the Spanish-speaking world. You are no longer just using the word for basic needs; you are using it to analyze and describe the complex structures of modern society and the economy.

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

At the C1 level, your use of 'contratar' is sophisticated and nuanced. You understand its legal implications in depth, such as 'capacidad de obrar y contratar' (capacity to act and contract). You can use the verb in complex sentence structures, including long-form arguments about labor law or economic theory. You are familiar with the various types of contracts—'contrato de relevo', 'contrato en prácticas'—and how the verb 'contratar' applies to each. You can also use the word metaphorically or in highly formal registers. For instance, you might discuss the 'contrato social' (social contract) and the act of 'contratar' obligations within a society. You are also sensitive to the connotations of synonyms; you know when 'incorporar' sounds more professional than 'contratar', or when 'fichar' is more appropriate for a high-profile recruitment. Your vocabulary around this word is extensive, including related terms like 'licitación', 'adjudicación', and 'pliego de condiciones'. You can navigate a high-level business negotiation in Spanish where 'contratar' is a key action word.

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

At the C2 level, you have a complete mastery of 'contratar' and its entire semantic field. You can use the word in any context, from the most technical legal discourse to the most creative literary writing. You understand the historical evolution of the word from its Latin roots and how it has shaped legal systems in Spanish-speaking countries. You can use it to explore philosophical concepts, such as the voluntary nature of contracting one's labor. Your use of the word is effortless, and you can play with its meanings in puns or complex rhetorical figures. You are also an expert in the bureaucratic and administrative jargon associated with 'contratar' in different countries, knowing the specific verbs used for different sectors of the economy. Whether you are drafting a complex international contract or analyzing a classic Spanish text, you treat 'contratar' with the precision of a native speaker who is also an expert in the language. You can explain the subtle differences between 'contratar', 'convenir', 'pactar', and 'estipular' with ease, providing clear examples for each.

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

تدرّب عليها أمثلة ملاحظات ونصائح

contratar في 30 ثانية

Contratar means 'to hire' a person for a job or 'to sign up' for a service like electricity or internet in Spanish.
It is a regular -ar verb, making it easy to conjugate in all tenses, and it always requires a direct object.
When hiring a person, you must use the 'personal a' (e.g., contratar a un médico), a key rule for learners.
It is more formal than 'dar trabajo' and is the standard term used in business, legal, and administrative contexts.

The Spanish verb contratar is a fundamental term in both professional and everyday contexts. At its core, it refers to the act of reaching an agreement—typically a formal one—where one party provides services or labor in exchange for compensation. While English speakers most frequently translate it as 'to hire' when referring to employees, the scope of contratar is broader, encompassing the procurement of services like internet, insurance, or even a band for a party. Understanding the nuances of this word is essential for navigating the Spanish-speaking professional world and managing personal administrative tasks.

Professional Recruitment: This is the most common use. It involves the entire process of selecting a candidate and signing a labor contract. For example, 'La empresa decidió contratar a diez nuevos ingenieros' (The company decided to hire ten new engineers).
Service Acquisition: In Spain and Latin America, you don't just 'get' internet or electricity; you 'hire' the service. 'Queremos contratar un plan de datos más rápido' (We want to sign up for a faster data plan).

Es el momento perfecto para contratar a más personal para la temporada de verano.

The word originates from the Latin 'contrahere', which means to draw together or to collect. This etymological root highlights the 'binding' nature of the action. When you contratas someone, you are legally and socially drawing them into a relationship of mutual obligation. In modern business, this term is ubiquitous in Human Resources (Recursos Humanos) departments. You will see it on job boards ('Se busca contratar...'), in news reports about employment rates, and in casual conversations about finding a plumber or a lawyer.

He decidido contratar un seguro de viaje para mis vacaciones en México.

Legal Context: In legal documents, 'contratar' defines the capacity of an individual or entity to enter into agreements. 'Capacidad para contratar' is a standard legal term.

Furthermore, the word is used in the context of outsourcing. If a large construction firm needs specialized electrical work, they might subcontratar (subcontract) a smaller firm. This demonstrates the versatility of the root. Whether you are a student looking for a part-time job or a homeowner looking for a renovation crew, contratar is the verb that bridges the gap between a need and a professional solution. It conveys a sense of commitment and formality that 'alquilar' (to rent) or 'comprar' (to buy) does not capture.

¿Sabes si van a contratar a un guía para la excursión por los Andes?

No podemos contratar a nadie hasta que el presupuesto sea aprobado.

Using contratar correctly requires understanding its role as a transitive verb. This means it always takes a direct object—the person, service, or entity being hired. When the object is a person, Spanish grammar requires the 'personal a'. For example: 'Voy a contratar a un asistente'. If the object is a service, the 'a' is not used: 'Voy a contratar un servicio de limpieza'. This distinction is a common hurdle for English speakers.

The Future Tense: Often used in business planning: 'Contrataremos a más expertos el próximo año'. It signals growth and expansion.
The Conditional Tense: Used for hypothetical scenarios or polite requests: 'Yo contrataría a ese candidato si tuviera más experiencia'.

Si la empresa crece, vamos a contratar a tres programadores más.

The verb follows the regular -ar conjugation pattern, making it relatively easy to master across different tenses. In the past tense (Pretérito Indefinido), it describes a completed action: 'Ayer contrataron a la nueva gerente'. In the imperfect tense, it describes a recurring action or a state in the past: 'Antes, la fábrica contrataba a cientos de trabajadores locales'. Understanding these temporal shifts allows you to tell stories about career paths and business history.

¿Has pensado en contratar un seguro de vida ahora que tienes hijos?

Passive Voice: While less common in spoken Spanish, you might see 'Fue contratado por una multinacional' in news or formal biographies.

Another important aspect is the reflexive form, though it is rare. 'Contratarse' might appear in very specific legal contexts meaning to bind oneself, but for 99% of learners, the active 'contratar' is what matters. It is also useful to pair it with adverbs to specify the nature of the hiring: 'contratar indefinidamente' (to hire permanently) or 'contratar temporalmente' (to hire temporarily). These qualifiers change the legal and practical implications of the sentence significantly.

Para organizar la boda, decidieron contratar a una planificadora profesional.

Es ilegal contratar a menores de edad para este tipo de trabajos pesados.

In the real world, contratar is a word that rings through office hallways, appears in bold letters on storefronts, and dominates economic news broadcasts. If you are walking through a city like Madrid, Buenos Aires, or Mexico City, you might see signs in shop windows saying 'Buscamos personal para contratar inmediatamente'. This shows the word's immediate practical value. In the corporate world, managers spend hours discussing 'quién vamos a contratar' (who we are going to hire) during quarterly reviews.

On the News: Journalists use it to discuss unemployment rates: 'El sector turístico planea contratar a miles de personas este verano'.
In the Bank/Utility Office: When setting up a new apartment, you'll hear: 'Para contratar la luz, necesita presentar su identificación'.

La noticia dice que el gobierno va a contratar a más médicos para los hospitales rurales.

Socially, the word comes up when discussing life milestones. Friends might ask each other, '¿Ya contrataste el salón para la fiesta?' or '¿A quién vas a contratar para que te ayude con la mudanza?'. It implies a level of organization and financial commitment. In pop culture, particularly in business-themed reality shows or dramas, contratar is often the climax of a scene—the moment of opportunity. Conversely, its opposite 'despedir' (to fire) provides the drama. This duality makes it a cornerstone of workplace vocabulary.

Tuve que contratar a un traductor jurado para mis documentos de inmigración.

Sports Media: 'El Real Madrid busca contratar a un nuevo delantero' is a headline you'll see every transfer season.

In the digital age, contratar has moved online. Websites for software-as-a-service (SaaS) often have buttons that say 'Contratar plan' or 'Contratar ahora'. This replaces the older 'Suscribirse' in many contexts where a formal service agreement is implied. Whether you're listening to a podcast about entrepreneurship or reading a lease agreement, the word contratar is your signal that a professional relationship is being established. It carries the weight of responsibility and the promise of service.

¿Es muy caro contratar un servicio de catering para cincuenta personas?

Mañana voy a contratar la conexión a internet para mi nuevo piso.

One of the most frequent errors English speakers make with contratar is forgetting the 'personal a'. In English, we say 'I hire John'. In Spanish, you must say 'Contrato a Juan'. Omitting this 'a' makes the sentence sound grammatically incomplete to a native ear. Another common pitfall is confusing contratar with alquilar. While English uses 'hire' for people and sometimes for things (like 'hiring a car' in British English), Spanish strictly uses alquilar for objects and contratar for people or services.

Contratar vs. Alquilar: Wrong: 'Quiero contratar un coche'. Right: 'Quiero alquilar un coche'. (Unless you are hiring a driver *with* the car, which is a service).
Contratar vs. Emplear: While 'emplear' means 'to employ', it is often used more broadly to mean 'to use' (e.g., 'emplear una técnica'). 'Contratar' is the specific action of hiring.

No digas 'voy a contratar un martillo', di 'voy a alquilar/comprar un martillo'.

A subtle mistake is using contratar for temporary, informal tasks where 'pagar a alguien por' might be more natural. If you pay a neighbor's kid to mow the lawn once, you don't usually say you 'contrataste' him, as that implies a formal contract. You might just say 'le pagué para que cortara el césped'. However, if you set up a recurring weekly service, contratar becomes appropriate. This distinction reflects the word's inherent formality and legal weight.

Es un error común no usar la 'a' personal: 'Necesito contratar a un buen contable'.

Preposition Confusion: People often try to use 'con' (with) after contratar. You hire someone ('a alguien'), you don't 'hire with someone'.

Lastly, be careful with the word 'contratista'. While it sounds like 'contractor', in many Spanish-speaking countries, it specifically refers to a construction contractor. If you are looking for an independent software developer, you would call them a 'freelance' or 'trabajador autónomo', even though you will contratar their services. Misusing these related nouns can lead to confusion about the type of professional you are seeking. Always focus on the verb to describe the action, and be specific with the noun to describe the person.

Recuerda: se contrata a una persona, pero se alquila una herramienta.

No podemos contratar servicios externos sin permiso del director.

While contratar is the most versatile term, several alternatives exist depending on the level of formality and the specific context. Understanding these synonyms will make your Spanish sound more natural and precise. For instance, in a corporate setting, 'incorporar' is very popular. It suggests bringing someone into a team ('incorporar a un nuevo socio') rather than just the legal act of hiring. It sounds more welcoming and strategic.

Emplear: More formal than 'contratar'. It focuses on the state of being an employer. 'La empresa emplea a mil personas' (The company employs a thousand people).
Fichar: Common in sports and increasingly in business. It implies 'signing' a star or a specific talent. 'El equipo fichó a un nuevo portero'.

En lugar de contratar, a veces es mejor subcontratar a una agencia externa.

Another useful alternative is 'dar de alta'. This is specifically used for administrative processes, such as registering an employee with social security or starting a utility service. If you say 'Voy a dar de alta a un trabajador', you are focusing on the paperwork side of hiring. For services, 'suscribirse' is used for magazines or software, but contratar remains the choice for utilities like gas, water, or insurance where a significant contract is involved.

Queremos incorporar a alguien con mucha energía positiva al equipo.

Asalariar: A very technical term meaning to put someone on a salary. You will rarely hear it in conversation, but you might see it in economic reports.

Lastly, consider 'tomar a alguien'. This is more informal and common in some Latin American countries, like 'Lo tomaron para el puesto' (They took him for the position). While it's perfectly understandable, contratar remains the 'gold standard' for clarity. Whether you choose the formality of 'emplear', the dynamism of 'fichar', or the inclusivity of 'incorporar', knowing the baseline of contratar allows you to navigate these nuances with confidence and precision.

Es difícil fichar a los mejores talentos cuando la competencia es tan alta.

Vamos a dar de alta el servicio de internet mañana mismo.

How Formal Is It?

حقيقة ممتعة

The same Latin root 'contrahere' gives us the word 'contract' in English and 'contraer' (to contract a muscle or a disease) in Spanish. It's all about bringing things together!

دليل النطق

UK /kon.tɾa.ˈtaɾ/

US /kon.tɾa.ˈtaɾ/

The stress is on the final syllable: 'tar'.

يتقافى مع

hablar cantar estudiar viajar comprar mirar llegar pensar

أخطاء شائعة

Pronouncing the 'o' like the 'o' in 'control' (English). It should be a pure Spanish 'o'.
Failing to tap the 'r' at the end, making it sound like an American 'r'.
Putting the stress on the second syllable 'tra' instead of 'tar'.
Pronouncing the 't' with a puff of air (aspiration); it should be a 'dry' dental 't'.
Making the 'a' sound like 'ay' as in 'tray'.

مستوى الصعوبة

القراءة 1/5

Very easy to recognize as it looks like 'contract'.

الكتابة 2/5

Requires remembering the personal 'a' for people.

التحدث 2/5

Regular conjugation makes it easy to use once learned.

الاستماع 1/5

Distinct sound, usually clear in professional contexts.

ماذا تتعلّم بعد ذلك

المتطلبات الأساسية

trabajo persona querer hacer servicio

تعلّم لاحقاً

despedir entrevista currículum sueldo empresa

متقدم

licitación adjudicación cláusula rescisión indemnización

قواعد يجب معرفتها

The Personal 'a'

Contratar **a** un empleado.

Direct Object Pronouns

Lo voy a contratar (I am going to hire him).

Regular -AR Verb Conjugation

Yo contrato, tú contratas, él contrata...

Infinitive after Verbs of Desire

Quiero contratar a un asistente.

Future Tense with 'ir a'

Vamos a contratar a más gente.

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

أمثلة حسب المستوى

Quiero contratar a un trabajador.

I want to hire a worker.

Uses 'a' because the object is a person.

Ella contrata a un profesor de español.

She hires a Spanish teacher.

Present tense, 3rd person singular.

¿Vas a contratar el internet?

Are you going to get (hire) the internet?

No 'a' because internet is a service.

Nosotros contratamos a un guía.

We hire a guide.

Present tense, 1st person plural.

Ellos contratan a mucha gente.

They hire many people.

Present tense, 3rd person plural.

Mi padre quiere contratar un seguro.

My father wants to hire (buy) insurance.

Infinitive after 'querer'.

¿A quién quieres contratar?

Who do you want to hire?

Question word 'quién' with personal 'a'.

La tienda contrata a un cajero.

The store hires a cashier.

Simple subject-verb-object structure.

Ayer contratamos a la nueva secretaria.

Yesterday we hired the new secretary.

Pretérito Indefinido (completed action).

Mañana voy a contratar el servicio de luz.

Tomorrow I am going to hire the electricity service.

Future with 'ir a'.

¿Has contratado ya el salón para la boda?

Have you already hired the hall for the wedding?

Pretérito Perfecto (recent action).

Mi tío contrató a un jardinero el mes pasado.

My uncle hired a gardener last month.

Pretérito Indefinido.

Es necesario contratar a alguien con experiencia.

It is necessary to hire someone with experience.

Infinitive after an impersonal expression.

No podemos contratar a más personas ahora.

We cannot hire more people now.

Negative sentence.

Ellos decidieron contratar un plan de datos.

They decided to hire (get) a data plan.

Infinitive after 'decidir'.

¿Cuándo vas a contratar a la niñera?

When are you going to hire the babysitter?

Future with 'ir a' and personal 'a'.

Espero que la empresa contrate a mi hermano.

I hope the company hires my brother.

Present Subjunctive after 'esperar que'.

Si tuviera dinero, contrataría a un chef privado.

If I had money, I would hire a private chef.

Conditional tense in a hypothetical sentence.

Antes, las fábricas contrataban a más jóvenes.

Before, factories used to hire more young people.

Imperfect tense for past habits.

Me gustaría contratar un seguro de viaje anual.

I would like to hire an annual travel insurance.

Polite request with 'gustaría'.

Buscamos a alguien que sepa contratar personal.

We are looking for someone who knows how to hire staff.

Subjunctive in a relative clause (unknown person).

Es difícil contratar a gente cualificada hoy en día.

It is difficult to hire qualified people nowadays.

Impersonal expression + infinitive.

Cuando contratamos el gas, nos dieron un descuento.

When we hired the gas service, they gave us a discount.

Temporal clause with 'cuando'.

No creo que contraten a nadie esta semana.

I don't think they will hire anyone this week.

Subjunctive after 'no creo que'.

La empresa ha decidido contratar externamente el soporte técnico.

The company has decided to outsource (hire externally) the technical support.

Using 'contratar' for outsourcing.

Es fundamental contratar un abogado antes de firmar.

It is fundamental to hire a lawyer before signing.

Infinitive as a subject/recommendation.

Habían contratado a tres expertos antes de la crisis.

They had hired three experts before the crisis.

Pluscuamperfecto (action before another past action).

El gobierno debería incentivar a las empresas para contratar.

The government should incentivize companies to hire.

Modal verb 'debería' + infinitive.

Contratar a ciegas puede ser un error muy costoso.

Hiring blindly can be a very costly mistake.

Infinitive used as a noun/subject.

Siguen contratando a pesar de la situación económica.

They continue hiring despite the economic situation.

Gerund after 'seguir'.

Fue contratado por sus habilidades interpersonales.

He was hired for his interpersonal skills.

Passive voice 'ser + participle'.

Dudo que vayan a contratar a más personal temporal.

I doubt they are going to hire more temporary staff.

Subjunctive after 'dudar'.

La capacidad para contratar es un requisito legal básico.

The capacity to contract is a basic legal requirement.

Technical legal usage.

Resulta imperativo contratar una auditoría independiente.

It is imperative to hire an independent audit.

Formal register with 'resulta imperativo'.

Al contratar, se deben considerar los beneficios sociales.

When hiring, social benefits must be considered.

Impersonal 'se' construction.

La multinacional optó por contratar talento local.

The multinational opted to hire local talent.

Verb 'optar por' + infinitive.

No se puede contratar a alguien sin su consentimiento expreso.

One cannot hire someone without their express consent.

Legal nuance with 'consentimiento expreso'.

Han propuesto contratar a un mediador para el conflicto.

They have proposed hiring a mediator for the conflict.

Pretérito Perfecto with 'proponer'.

Contratar servicios en la nube requiere una gran inversión.

Hiring (subscribing to) cloud services requires a large investment.

Modern technical context.

Si hubieran decidido contratar antes, no estaríamos así.

If they had decided to hire earlier, we wouldn't be in this situation.

Third conditional (past hypothetical).

El acto de contratar implica una transferencia de soberanía individual.

The act of contracting implies a transfer of individual sovereignty.

Philosophical/Academic register.

Se debate si el estado tiene la potestad de contratar tales servicios.

It is debated whether the state has the power to contract such services.

High-level political discourse.

La empresa se abstuvo de contratar por motivos éticos.

The company refrained from hiring for ethical reasons.

Verb 'abstenerse de' + infinitive.

Contratar la voluntad ajena es un concepto complejo en derecho.

Contracting the will of others is a complex concept in law.

Abstract legal concept.

La flexibilidad para contratar y despedir define este modelo.

The flexibility to hire and fire defines this model.

Economic theory terminology.

A menudo, contratar supone un riesgo calculado para el inversor.

Often, hiring involves a calculated risk for the investor.

Business strategy context.

No basta con contratar; hay que saber retener el talento.

Hiring is not enough; one must know how to retain talent.

Rhetorical structure.

La licitación pública busca contratar la mejor oferta técnica.

The public tender seeks to contract the best technical offer.

Administrative/Procurement language.

تلازمات شائعة

contratar personal

contratar un servicio

contratar un seguro

contratar a tiempo completo

contratar externamente

contratar indefinidamente

capacidad para contratar

contratar a un experto

contratar por obra

contratar la luz

العبارات الشائعة

Se busca contratar

— A standard phrase used in job advertisements to indicate an opening. It is equivalent to 'Now Hiring'.

Se busca contratar a un diseñador gráfico.

Contratar los servicios de

— A formal way to say you are hiring a professional or a company. It sounds more professional than just 'contratar'.

Decidimos contratar los servicios de una consultora.

Listo para contratar

— Indicates that a process or a person is ready to finalize a hiring agreement. Often used in HR software.

El candidato está listo para contratar.

Contratar a destajo

— To hire someone to work by the piece or by the job rather than by time. Common in agriculture or construction.

Contrataron a los obreros a destajo para terminar rápido.

Contratar en prácticas

— To hire someone as an intern or trainee, usually with a specific type of contract. Common for students.

La empresa va a contratar en prácticas a tres becarios.

Contratar de palabra

— To hire someone based on a verbal agreement without a written contract. Risky but common in small tasks.

Lo contrataron de palabra, sin papeles.

Contratar a dedo

— A critical phrase meaning to hire someone through favoritism rather than merit. 'To hand-pick'.

Dicen que al nuevo jefe lo contrataron a dedo.

Contratar por horas

— To hire someone on an hourly basis. Common for cleaning or tutoring services.

Necesito contratar a alguien por horas para limpiar.

Contratar a prueba

— To hire someone for a trial period to see if they are a good fit. Standard in many labor laws.

Te vamos a contratar a prueba por tres meses.

Fácil de contratar

— Describes a service or person that has a simple onboarding or hiring process.

Este seguro es muy fácil de contratar online.

يُخلط عادةً مع

contratar vs alquilar

English speakers use 'hire' for cars or bikes; Spanish uses 'alquilar' for things and 'contratar' for people/services.

contratar vs comprar

You don't 'buy' internet or insurance in Spanish; you 'contratar' the service.

contratar vs emplear

While similar, 'emplear' can also mean 'to use' a tool or method, whereas 'contratar' is specifically about the hiring act.

تعبيرات اصطلاحية

"Contratar a alguien por su cara bonita"

— To hire someone solely based on their looks rather than their skills. Often used critically.

No creo que sepa mucho, lo contrataron por su cara bonita.

informal

"Estar por contratar"

— To be in the process of being hired or to be available for hire. Common in sports news.

El jugador todavía está por contratar.

neutral

"Contratar gato por liebre"

— A variation of 'dar gato por liebre', meaning to hire a service that turns out to be much worse than promised.

Me contrataron gato por liebre con esa agencia de viajes.

informal

"Contratar a la fuerza"

— To hire someone under pressure or because of external obligations rather than choice.

Tuvieron que contratar a su sobrino a la fuerza.

neutral

"Contratar el hambre con las ganas de comer"

— Used when two people or entities with the same needs or flaws come together. A play on a common idiom.

Esa alianza es contratar el hambre con las ganas de comer.

informal

"Contratar por lo bajini"

— To hire someone secretly or 'under the table' without following legal procedures.

Lo contrataron por lo bajini para no pagar impuestos.

slang

"Contratar a bombo y platillo"

— To hire someone with a lot of publicity and celebration. Used for high-profile appointments.

Contrataron al nuevo CEO a bombo y platillo.

neutral

"Contratar a ciegas"

— To hire someone without doing a proper background check or interview. Very risky.

Nunca debes contratar a ciegas en este negocio.

neutral

"Contratar por compromiso"

— To hire someone out of a sense of duty or obligation to a friend or family member.

Lo contrataron por compromiso, no por su talento.

neutral

"Contratar a precio de oro"

— To hire a service or person at an extremely high and perhaps excessive cost.

Tuvimos que contratar a ese consultor a precio de oro.

informal

سهل الخلط

contratar vs contrato

Noun vs Verb.

'Contrato' is the physical document (the contract), while 'contratar' is the action of hiring.

Firmé el contrato después de que me decidieran contratar.

contratar vs contratista

False friend or specific usage.

In many places, a 'contratista' is specifically a building contractor, not just anyone who is hired.

El contratista está supervisando la obra.

contratar vs contraer

Similar root and spelling.

'Contraer' means to contract a muscle or an illness, or to enter into a marriage ('contraer matrimonio').

No quiero contraer una deuda al contratar este servicio.

contratar vs contactar

Phonetic similarity.

'Contactar' means to get in touch with someone, which often happens *before* you hire them.

Primero debes contactar con el experto, y luego contratarlo.

contratar vs contestar

Phonetic similarity for beginners.

'Contestar' means to answer.

Él contestó a la oferta y luego lo decidieron contratar.

أنماط الجُمل

Yo quiero contratar a [persona].

Yo quiero contratar a un profesor.

Vamos a contratar el [servicio].

Vamos a contratar el wifi.

Espero que [sujeto] contrate a [persona].

Espero que mi jefe contrate a María.

Si tuviera dinero, contrataría a [persona].

Si tuviera dinero, contrataría a un jardinero.

Resulta necesario contratar a un [profesional] para [acción].

Resulta necesario contratar a un auditor para revisar las cuentas.

La potestad de contratar reside en [entidad].

La potestad de contratar reside en el consejo de administración.

¿Has contratado ya a [persona]?

¿Has contratado ya al fotógrafo?

No creo que contraten a [persona].

No creo que contraten a nadie hoy.

عائلة الكلمة

الأسماء

contrato (contract)

contratación (hiring/recruitment)

contratista (contractor)

contratado/a (employee/hired person)

الأفعال

subcontratar (to subcontract)

recontratar (to rehire)

الصفات

contratable (hirable)

contractual (contractual)

contratado (hired)

مرتبط

empleo

trabajo

salario

empresa

puesto

سجّل مجاناً لرؤية جميع الأمثلة

كيفية الاستخدام

frequency

Very high in both daily life (services) and professional life (jobs).

أخطاء شائعة

Contratar un coche. → Alquilar un coche.
You rent objects; you hire people or services.
Contrato a mi amigo. → Contrato a mi amigo.
Wait, this is correct! The mistake is usually *omitting* the 'a'.
La empresa contrata María. → La empresa contrata a María.
Missing the personal 'a' for a specific person.
Voy a contratar una pizza. → Voy a pedir una pizza.
'Contratar' is for formal services, not for ordering food.
Él fue contrato. → Él fue contratado.
Confusing the noun 'contrato' with the past participle 'contratado'.

نصائح

The Personal 'a'

Never forget the 'a' when hiring a person. It's 'Contratar a María', not 'Contratar María'.

Service vs. Object

Use 'contratar' for services (wifi, gas) and 'alquilar' for physical objects (car, house).

Corporate Lingo

In a resume or interview, use 'incorporar' to sound more team-oriented than just 'contratar'.

Stress the End

Make sure to emphasize the 'TAR' sound at the end of the word to sound natural.

Legal Weight

Remember that 'contratar' implies a formal commitment. For very small, one-time tasks, just use 'pagar'.

Related Nouns

Use 'contrato' for the paper and 'contratación' for the process of hiring.

Context Clues

If you hear 'dar de alta', it often means the same as 'contratar' in an administrative sense.

Mnemonic

Associate 'contratar' with 'contract'. You are giving someone a contract.

Avoid Slang

Avoid using 'pillar' or 'tomar' in formal business settings; stick to 'contratar'.

Subjunctive Use

Practice using the subjunctive after 'querer que' (e.g., 'Quiero que contraten a mi amigo').

احفظها

وسيلة تذكّر

Think of 'Contratar' as 'Contract-ar'. You are adding a 'Contract' to a person's life by hiring them.

ربط بصري

Imagine a giant pen signing a paper ('un contrato') that bridges two people together.

Word Web

contrato jefe empleado sueldo firma empresa trabajo entrevista

تحدٍّ

Try to use 'contratar' in three different tenses today: 'Quiero contratar...', 'Ayer contraté...', and 'Mañana contrataré...'

أصل الكلمة

From the Latin 'contrahere', which is composed of 'con-' (together) and 'trahere' (to draw/pull).

المعنى الأصلي: To draw together, to collect, or to shrink/tighten.

Romance (Latin root).

السياق الثقافي

Be aware that discussing hiring can be sensitive in areas with high unemployment. Use 'contratar' respectfully in professional contexts.

In English, we 'hire' a person but 'get' or 'sign up for' a service. In Spanish, 'contratar' covers both, which can feel more formal to English speakers.

The 'Contrato Social' by Jean-Jacques Rousseau is a foundational text in political philosophy known in Spanish as such. Many Spanish 'telenovelas' feature plots where a character is 'contratado' for a secret mission or job. Economic news often leads with 'cifras de contratación' (hiring figures).

تدرّب في الحياة الواقعية

سياقات واقعية

Job Market

Contratar personal
Proceso de contratación
Contratar a tiempo parcial
Oferta de contratación

Home Management

Contratar el internet
Contratar un fontanero
Contratar un seguro de hogar
Contratar la limpieza

Events

Contratar un catering
Contratar un DJ
Contratar un fotógrafo
Contratar el local

Legal/Business

Contratar servicios profesionales
Contratar a un abogado
Poder para contratar
Libertad para contratar

Travel

Contratar un guía
Contratar un seguro de viaje
Contratar una excursión
Contratar transporte

بدايات محادثة

"¿Sabes si están buscando contratar a gente nueva en tu oficina?"

"¿Alguna vez has tenido que contratar a alguien para un proyecto personal?"

"¿Es difícil contratar un buen servicio de internet en esta ciudad?"

"¿Qué cualidades buscas cuando tienes que contratar a un profesional?"

"¿Crees que es mejor contratar a amigos o a desconocidos?"

مواضيع للكتابة اليومية

Describe una experiencia en la que tuviste que contratar un servicio importante.

Si tuvieras tu propia empresa, ¿a qué tipo de personas te gustaría contratar?

Escribe sobre las dificultades de contratar personal en la economía actual.

¿Qué servicios te gustaría contratar si tuvieras un presupuesto ilimitado?

Reflexiona sobre la importancia de un buen contrato al contratar a alguien.

الأسئلة الشائعة

10 أسئلة

Only when the object is a specific person or a group of people. If you are hiring a service like 'internet' or 'insurance', you do not use 'a'. For example: 'Contratar a Juan' vs. 'Contratar el internet'.

No, that is a common mistake. For cars, bikes, or apartments, use the verb 'alquilar'. 'Contratar' is for people or ongoing services like electricity.

'Contratar' is the specific act of signing someone on or starting a service. 'Emplear' is a broader, more formal term that can mean 'to have in one's employ' or 'to use' a resource.

Yes, it is a completely regular -ar verb. It follows the same conjugation rules as 'hablar' or 'cantar' in all tenses.

You say 'contratar a un abogado'. Remember the personal 'a' because a lawyer is a person.

Yes, it is the standard verb for insurance policies. You would say 'contratar un seguro de vida' or 'contratar un seguro médico'.

Yes, the noun is 'contratación'. You might hear 'La contratación de nuevos empleados' (The hiring of new employees).

It means to 'subcontract'—when a person or company hired for a job hires another person or company to do part of that work.

Yes, it is the universal and standard word for hiring and service agreements across Spain and Latin America.

You can say 'Fue contratado' (passive voice) or 'Lo contrataron' (they hired him, which is more common in speech).

سجّل مجاناً للنصائح والملاحظات