el jerarca
leader
Persona que tiene un cargo alto y autoridad sobre otras en una organización.
Definition & meaning
Jerarca means a person who holds a high rank or position of authority within an organization or hierarchy. It is often used for senior figures in religious institutions, political parties, governments, or other large organizations.
Depending on context, it can be translated as high-ranking official, senior leader, dignitary, or hierarch. The word can be used for a man or a woman.
Grammar & word origin
Jerarca is a noun with the same form for masculine and feminine: el jerarca and la jerarca. Its plural is jerarcas.
It comes from Greek hierárkhēs, meaning “sacred ruler” or “leader of a sacred order,” through Latin. Its historical parts relate to the Greek words for “sacred” and “ruler,” though Spanish speakers do not normally divide jerarca into parts.
Synonyms & antonyms
Possible synonyms include:
- dirigente — a leader or person who directs an organization; broader and more neutral than jerarca.
- dignatario — a person holding an important official position; often emphasizes status or ceremony.
- autoridad — an authority or official with power; can refer to the person, the office, or the power itself.
- jefe — a boss or chief; more general and often less formal.
There is no exact antonym. Depending on context, a contrast might be:
- subordinado — someone who is lower in rank or answers to a superior.
- inferior — someone or something lower in a hierarchy; this can sound impersonal or dismissive when applied to a person.
Common phrases & collocations
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Examples
El jerarca habla con los empleados.noun
The leader speaks with the employees.
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