comprador

American  

[kom-pruh-dawr] / ˌkɒm prəˈdɔr /

Or compradore

noun

1. (formerly in China) a local agent or factotum, as of a foreign business house.

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comprador British  

/ ˌkɒmprəˈdɔː /

noun

1. (formerly in China and some other Asian countries) a native agent of a foreign enterprise

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Etymology

Origin of comprador

First recorded in 1605–15; from Portuguese: literally, “buyer” from Latin comparātor, equivalent to comparā(re) “to furnish, provide, prepare” ( see com-, prepare) + -tor -tor

Example Sentences

Según cuenta la leyenda, frotar un boleto contra la figurita de un pájaro cantor que hay dentro de la tienda aumentará las posibilidades de que el comprador cobre el premio.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 24, 2025

La heredera de Fórmula Uno, Petra Ecclestone, y un comprador misterioso hicieron historia este mes con la venta récord de $119.75 millones de “The Manor” en Holmby Hills.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 24, 2019

The comprador has no fixed salary, but receives a stated per-centage upon all business transactions: his per-centage upon the household expenses is not fixed, but is not on that account less certain. 

From A Woman's Journey Round the World by Pfeiffer, Ida

Having seen our effects disposed of, we set out for our quarters in the New City, attended by the Bengalese comprador who was to serve as guide and purveyor-general during our stay in the island.

From Lippincott's Magazine of Popular Literature and Science, Vol. 12, No. 32, November, 1873 by Various

He then departed to the vestibule of the hotel, where he encountered the comprador.

From Held by Chinese Brigands by Strang, Herbert