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cubano

koo-BAH-noh/kuˈβano/

“cubano” means “Cuban” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

Cuban

Also: Cuban-style
A classic bright blue vintage car parked on a colorful street with palm trees.

📝 In Action

Me encanta el ritmo de la música cubana.

A1

I love the rhythm of Cuban music.

El café cubano es muy fuerte y dulce.

A1

Cuban coffee is very strong and sweet.

Él compró un sándwich cubano en el mercado.

A2

He bought a Cuban sandwich at the market.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • antillano (from the Antilles (a group of islands including Cuba))

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • sándwich cubano – Cuban sandwich
  • cigarro cubano – Cuban cigar
  • café cubano – Cuban coffee

Cuban

NounmA1
A man wearing a traditional white guayabera shirt and a straw hat, smiling.

📝 In Action

Mi profesor de baile es cubano.

A1

My dance teacher is Cuban.

Los cubanos son conocidos por su alegría.

A2

Cubans are known for their happiness.

Ese cubano vive en Miami ahora.

B1

That Cuban man lives in Miami now.

Word Connections

Idioms & Expressions

  • a lo cubano – Doing something in the Cuban way or style

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "cubano" in Spanish:

cuban→cuban-style→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: cubano

Question 1 of 3

How do you say 'The Cuban woman' in Spanish?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
Cuba(Cuba (the country)) — Noun
cubanismo(a word or phrase typical of Cuba) — Noun
cubanada(something very typical or characteristic of Cubans) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

Derived from the name of the island 'Cuba' with the Latin-based suffix '-ano' which means 'belonging to' or 'coming from'. The name 'Cuba' itself is believed to come from the indigenous Taíno language, though its exact meaning is debated; it likely means 'fertile land' or 'great place'.

First recorded: 16th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: CubanFrench: cubain

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between 'Cuba' and 'cubano'?

'Cuba' is the name of the country (a place), while 'cubano' is the word used to describe a person or thing that comes from that place.

Do I use 'cubano' for a group of women?

No, for a group of only women, you should use 'cubanas'. Use 'cubanos' for a group of men or a mixed group of men and women.

Is 'cubano' used the same way in Spain and Latin America?

Yes, the word 'cubano' is understood and used the same way across the entire Spanish-speaking world to refer to anything from Cuba.