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guardia means guard — a common term in Essential Spanish. Learn how it's used in a real-world example.

📅 Published: January 2, 2026

📘 Essential Spanish

guardia

noun • /[GWAR-dya]/

guard

Example:

Un guardia nos ayudó con las direcciones.

A guard helped us with directions.

🧠 What does guardia mean?

The noun 'guardia' primarily refers to a person or group of people whose job is to protect a place or person. It can also refer to the state of being on duty or on watch, particularly in professions like medicine or law enforcement. Additionally, it can mean a state of watchfulness or defense.

📚 Extra examples

  • El guardia de seguridad nos pidió la identificación para entrar.
    The security guard asked us for identification to enter.
  • La doctora está de guardia en el hospital todo el fin de semana.
    The doctor is on call at the hospital all weekend.
  • La Guardia Civil es un cuerpo de seguridad pública en España.
    The Civil Guard is a public security force in Spain.
  • Tras el susto, el equipo se mantuvo en guardia durante el resto del partido.
    After the scare, the team remained on guard for the rest of the match.
  • No debes bajar la guardia, incluso si te sientes seguro.
    You shouldn't let your guard down, even if you feel safe.

💡 Did You Know?

The noun 'guardia' is an excellent example of a 'sustantivo común en cuanto al género' (common gender noun). The article determines the gender of the person: 'el guardia' for a male guard and 'la guardia' for a female guard. This is a common pattern for nouns referring to professions.

🔁 Synonyms & opposites of "guardia"

Synonyms: vigilante, centinela, guardián, custodio, escolta
Opposites: intruso, atacante, prisionero, civil

🔍 See more essential spanish words

❓ FAQ

How do you say 'guard' in Spanish?
The most direct translation for 'guard' is 'guardia'. For a male guard, you use 'el guardia', and for a female guard, 'la guardia'. Another common word is 'vigilante'.
How do you pronounce 'guardia' in Spanish?
It is pronounced GWAR-dya. The emphasis is on the first syllable, 'guar'.
How do you use 'guardia' in a sentence?
An example sentence is: 'El guardia nocturno hace su ronda cada hora.' This means, 'The night guard makes his rounds every hour.'
What is the English translation of 'guardia'?
The primary English translation is 'guard'. Depending on the context, it can also translate to 'watch', 'duty', or 'custody', as in the phrase 'estar de guardia' (to be on duty/watch).
Does 'guardia' change for gender or number?
Yes. When referring to a person, 'guardia' is a common gender noun, so the article changes: 'el guardia' for a man and 'la guardia' for a woman. The plural is 'los guardias' or 'las guardias'. When referring to the institution or the shift, it is feminine: 'la guardia'.
Is 'guardia' common in everyday Spanish?
Yes, 'guardia' is a very common word used in contexts related to security, law enforcement, and being on duty or on call for professions like medicine or firefighting.
Does 'guardia' have slang or double meanings?
It is not typically a slang term. However, it is used in several important idiomatic expressions, such as 'bajar la guardia' (to let one's guard down) and 'estar en guardia' (to be on guard/alert).
Is 'guardia' used differently in Spain vs Latin America?
The general use is consistent. However, specific national forces may use the word, such as 'la Guardia Civil' in Spain or 'la Guardia Nacional' in some Latin American countries. The term 'guardia de seguridad' (security guard) is universally understood.

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