Spanish word of the day: Enchufe

What does enchufe mean?

Enchufe (noun) – an electrical socket or plug—the device you use to connect your phone charger, TV, or any appliance to the power supply. For example, “¿Dónde está el enchufe para cargar mi móvil?” (Where’s the plug to charge my phone?).

⚠️ Extra meaning!: Enchufe can also mean having special connections or influence to get a job, favor, or benefit—often without deserving it. If someone gets a job because they know the boss, you’d say they got it “por enchufe.”

Example sentences with enchufe

• Conecta el ordenador al enchufe de la pared.
  🔌 Plug the computer into the wall socket.

• Consiguió el trabajo por enchufe, no por méritos propios.
  💼🤝 He got the job thanks to connections, not on his own merits.

• Ojalá tuviera enchufe para entrar en esa empresa.
  🏢✨ I wish I had connections to get into that company.

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Enchufe in context

You’ll hear enchufe all the time in Spanish, both for talking about anything related to electricity and for describing situations where someone gets ahead thanks to personal contacts rather than ability. In the workplace, saying someone “tiene enchufe” can be a criticism, suggesting unfair advantage or nepotism.

If you want to sound natural in Spanish, use enchufe when talking about plugging something in, or when you want to comment (often with a bit of irony) on how some people get opportunities thanks to who they know, not what they know.