Puesto

Puesto is a Spanish noun with several related senses connected to the idea of a position, place, or assignment. The core meanings include: a job or employment position within an organization, as in “buscar un puesto en la empresa” or “ocupó el puesto de gerente”; a physical place or location, such as a seat, slot in a queue, or specific spot, as in “tomó su puesto en la fila” or “un puesto en la mesa”; and a market stall or booth where goods are sold, as in “un puesto de fruta.” A fourth sense covers posts or stations in military or civil administration, for example “puesto fronterizo” or “puesto de mando.”

Etymology: puesto derives from the verb poner (to put), with puesto as its past participle. It came to mean something that has been placed, and by extension, a position or role.

Usage notes: In many contexts, puesto can be substituted by empleo to emphasize work, or by cargo or posición for a specific rank or role. The word is masculine, with the plural puestos. Common expressions include “conseguir un puesto,” “ocupar un puesto,” “puesto de control,” and “puesto de venta.”

See also: puesto de trabajo (the usual phrase for a job position), empleos and cargos as related terms.