doncella
“doncella” means “lady's maid” in Spanish. It has 3 different meanings depending on context:
lady's maid, handmaiden
Also: housemaid
📝 In Action
La doncella ayudó a la marquesa a ponerse el corsé.
B2The maid helped the marchioness put on her corset.
En el palacio, cada princesa tenía su propia doncella.
B2In the palace, every princess had her own handmaiden.
maiden, virgin
📝 In Action
El caballero juró proteger a la joven doncella.
C1The knight swore to protect the young maiden.
rainbow wrasse
📝 In Action
La doncella es un pez muy común en el mar Mediterráneo.
C2The rainbow wrasse is a very common fish in the Mediterranean Sea.
Translate to Spanish
Words that translate to "doncella" in Spanish:
handmaiden→housemaid→lady's maid→maiden→rainbow wrasse→virgin→✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: doncella
Question 1 of 2
If you are watching a movie set in a medieval castle, what is a 'doncella' most likely doing?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
Comes from the Vulgar Latin word 'dominicella', which is a cute or smaller version of 'domina', meaning 'lady'. It basically translates to 'little lady'.
First recorded: 12th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'doncella' the same as 'sirvienta'?
Not exactly. While both are servants, a 'doncella' usually had a higher status and a closer relationship to the lady of the house, focusing on her personal needs rather than heavy housework.
Can 'doncella' refer to a man?
No. The word is strictly feminine. The male equivalent in a historical context would be a 'doncel' or 'paje' (page).