Also means
to contract
Usage Note
Contratar means to take on an employee or to enter a contract for a service. The noun contrato is the resulting contract. Do not confuse with tratar (to treat/deal with) even though it contains that root. In Latin America, contratar a service (phone plan, insurance) is just as common as hiring a person.
Examples
"La empresa quiere contratar más personal."
Natural Translation
The company wants to hire more staff.

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