Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
Babysitter in Spanish: Niñera
Niñera · noun · nee-NYEH-rah
A babysitter is most commonly called 'niñera' (or 'niñero' for a male) throughout the Spanish-speaking world. In Spain, the colloquial term 'canguro' (literally 'kangaroo') is widely used regardless of gender. Mexican and Central American Spanish often uses 'nana,' which can refer to either a babysitter or a full-time nanny depending on context.
Pronounce 'niñera' as nee-NYEH-rah. The 'ñ' produces the distinctive Spanish palatal nasal sound, like the 'ny' in English 'canyon,' and the stress falls on the second syllable.
La niñera llegará a las seis para cuidar a los niños.
The babysitter will arrive at six to take care of the kids.
Babysitter in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for babysitter, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| niñera | babysitter | nee-NYEH-rah | Default, widely understood |
| canguro | babysitter | Spain | |
| nana | babysitter | Mexico and Central America, can also mean nanny |
How Native Speakers Use Niñera
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Hiring help
Necesitamos una niñera para el viernes por la noche.
We need a babysitter for Friday night.
Parents arranging childcare.
Spain colloquial
¿Conoces a algún canguro disponible este fin de semana?
Do you know any babysitter available this weekend?
Using the Spain-specific term.
Regular arrangement
La nana viene todos los días después de la escuela.
The babysitter comes every day after school.
Ongoing childcare arrangement in Mexico.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Niñera
Using English 'babysitter'
Incorrect: Contratamos un babysitter nuevo.
Correct: Contratamos una niñera nueva.
The English word 'babysitter' is not used in Spanish; each region has its own established term that should be used instead.
Gender mismatch with 'canguro'
Incorrect: La cangura cuida a mis hijos.
Correct: La canguro cuida a mis hijos.
In Spain, 'canguro' as a babysitter term remains invariable in form regardless of the person's gender—it is always 'el/la canguro.'
Lock in Babysitter Vocabulary with the Parrot Method
Why word lists alone don't stick
Memorizing a translation feels productive, but most learners forget 70% of what they studied within 48 hours. Vocabulary needs spaced repetition AND real-world exposure to transfer to long-term memory.
See Niñera used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using niñera in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear La niñera llegará a las seis para cuidar a los niños. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
Save, review, repeat, stay consistent
Tap any word to save it. Parrot's spaced-repetition system surfaces it right before you'd forget, no manual flashcard creation. The watch, parrot back, save, review cycle turns recognition into fluency at 2.7x the speed of traditional study.
Common Questions About Babysitter in Spanish
- Why do Spaniards call a babysitter 'canguro' (kangaroo)?
- The term originated from the image of a kangaroo carrying its joey in a pouch, which became a playful metaphor for someone who carries or watches over children. It entered Spanish slang in the 1970s and has since become fully standard in peninsular Spanish.
- What is the difference between 'niñera' and 'nana'?
- In most Latin American countries, 'niñera' refers to a temporary babysitter while 'nana' implies a more permanent live-in caregiver or nanny. However, usage varies by region—in some areas, both words are used interchangeably for any childcare provider.
- Is there a masculine form for babysitter in Spanish?
- The masculine form is 'niñero,' used when a male is providing childcare. While less common historically, the term is perfectly valid and increasingly used as childcare becomes less gender-stereotyped across Spanish-speaking societies.