Spanish · Food & Drink
"Waiter" in Spanish: mesero / mesera
el mesero / la mesera
Note: ES: el camarero / la camarera
A waiter is el mesero, and a waitress is la mesera. Both are common in Latin America. Spain usually says camarero; these pages lead with mesero.
Getting attention
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How to pronounce mesero / mesera
Say it
meh-SEH-roh
/meˈse.ɾo/
meh-SEH-roh (mesero) or meh-SEH-rah (mesera). Stress SEH. Keep the s in mesero clear, not a z buzz.
"Waiter" in Spanish: quick reference
| Spanish | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| el mesero | waiter Latin American masculine form. | Latin American masculine form. |
| la mesera | waitress Latin American feminine form. | Latin American feminine form. |
| el camarero / la camarera | waiter / waitress (Spain) Castilian default; understood elsewhere too. | Castilian default; understood elsewhere too. |
| disculpe, mesero | excuse me, waiter Polite way to get attention. | Polite way to get attention. |
How to use mesero / mesera in real life
- 1Getting attention
Disculpe, mesero, ¿nos trae agua?
Excuse me, waiter, could you bring us water?
Disculpe plus mesero is polite and clear.
- 2Thanking service
La mesera fue muy amable.
The waitress was very kind.
Use mesera when you know the server is a woman.
- 3Asking a friend
¿Ya llamaste al mesero?
Did you already call the waiter?
Llamar al mesero means waving them over.
Mistakes English speakers make with mesero / mesera
Incorrect: La mesero trajo la cuenta.
Correct: El mesero trajo la cuenta. / La mesera trajo la cuenta.
Match article and ending: el mesero or la mesera.
Incorrect: Oye, waiter, la carta.
Correct: Disculpe, mesero, la carta.
Use mesero/mesera (or camarero in Spain), not English waiter.
Good to know
Latin American restaurants commonly say mesero and mesera. Spain leans on camarero and camarera. A soft disculpe is politer than snapping fingers for the mesero.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Asking the server for water
ChatPal
Allí viene el mesero.
Here comes the waiter.
You
Disculpe, mesero, ¿hay agua natural?
Excuse me, waiter, is there still water?
ChatPal
También pide la carta, porfa.
Also ask for the menu, please.
You
Claro. Gracias.
Sure. Thanks.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Waiter" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Waiter" in Spanish
What is the gender of mesero?
Masculine mesero, feminine mesera. Match the person.
Is camarero wrong in Latin America?
Not wrong, but mesero/mesera is the everyday Latin American pair. Camarero is the Spain default.
How do I call a waiter politely?
Disculpe, mesero… or a small hand raise.
How do you pronounce mesero?
meh-SEH-roh with stress on SEH.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
- Step 1: See it in context
- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
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