Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
How to Say Janitor in Spanish: Conserje
Conserje · noun (masculine/feminine) · kohn-SEHR-heh
Janitor in Spanish is conserje, a gender-neutral noun that can refer to building maintenance staff in any context.
Conserje is kohn-SEHR-heh, three syllables with the j making an h sound.
El conserje del edificio siempre nos saluda por la mañana.
The building's janitor always greets us in the morning.
Janitor in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for janitor, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| conserje | janitor | kohn-SEHR-heh | Default, widely understood |
| portero | janitor | common in some Latin American countries | |
| intendente | janitor | Mexico, for school janitors |
How Native Speakers Use Conserje
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
School setting
La intendente de la escuela limpió el salón después del evento.
The school janitor cleaned the hall after the event.
Intendente is used in Mexican schools.
Apartment building
Pregúntale al conserje si tiene la llave del sótano.
Ask the janitor if he has the basement key.
Conserje in residential buildings.
Office building
El personal de limpieza trabaja por las noches en esta oficina.
The cleaning staff works at night in this office.
Generic term for cleaning crew.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Conserje
Using janitor as a Spanish word
Incorrect: El janitor limpió el piso.
Correct: El conserje limpió el piso.
Janitor is not used in Spanish; conserje is the standard term.
Wrong meaning of portero
Incorrect: El portero limpia los baños. (in sports context)
Correct: El conserje limpia los baños.
Portero can also mean goalkeeper; context matters.
Lock in Janitor 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 Conserje used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using conserje in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear El conserje del edificio siempre nos saluda por la mañana. 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 Janitor in Spanish
- How do you say janitor in Spanish?
- The most universal term is conserje (kohn-SEHR-heh), understood in all Spanish-speaking countries for maintenance and cleaning staff.
- Is conserje masculine or feminine?
- Conserje is the same form for both genders—you distinguish by using el conserje (male) or la conserje (female).
- What is the difference between conserje and portero?
- Conserje focuses on maintenance and cleaning duties, while portero traditionally refers to a doorman or building entrance attendant, though overlap exists.