abanderado

standard-bearer

noun ah-bahn-deh-RAH-doh Rare

Origin: From abanderar ('to give a flag to'), from bandera ('flag').

Also means

champion

Usage Note

Abanderado literally means the person who carries a flag in a procession or ceremony, but figuratively it is widely used for someone who champions a cause: el abanderado de los derechos humanos. The feminine is abanderada. At the Olympics, the abanderado leads the national delegation at the opening ceremony.

Examples

"Fue elegida abanderada de su país en los Juegos Olímpicos."

Natural Translation

She was chosen as her country's flag-bearer at the Olympic Games.

Free starter pack

Building your Spanish vocabulary?

Get the 100 most common Spanish words as a free PDF — one email, no spam.

Related Words

Explore Spanish by topic

SpanishNow

How to Say "You" in Spanish: Tú, Usted, Vos & Vosotros

Spanish has five words for "you": tú, usted, vos, vosotros, and ustedes. Learn which to use by who you're talking to and where — plus the verb endings.

June 3, 2026 6 min read

SpanishNow

How to Roll Your Rs in Spanish (Even If You Can't Yet)

Roll your Rs in Spanish by building from the butter sound you already make, then adding airflow. A step-by-step method, minimal pairs, and self-check drills.

June 3, 2026 7 min read

SpanishNow

Spanish False Friends That Cause Real Embarrassment

Spanish false friends like embarazada and excitado don't mean what you think. Learn the trap words, the right ones to say instead, and how to stop guessing.

June 3, 2026 6 min read

SpanishNow

Spanish Numbers 1-100: Count, Spell & Pronounce

Spanish numbers 1 to 100 are a system, not a list: three patterns build every number. Master the spelling, the accent rule, and how to say prices fast.

June 9, 2026 6 min read