doña
/DOH-nyah/
Mrs.
Doña is used as a respectful title placed before a woman's first name, similar to 'Mrs.' in English.
doña(noun)
Mrs.
?Respectful title before a first name
,Ms.
?Respectful title before a first name
Lady
?In historical or very formal contexts
📝 In Action
Necesito hablar con Doña Isabel sobre el contrato.
A1I need to speak with Mrs. Isabel about the contract.
Doña Carmen siempre nos trae galletas caseras.
A2Doña Carmen (or Mrs. Carmen) always brings us homemade cookies.
Pregúntale a Doña Sofía, ella sabe dónde está la llave.
A1Ask Doña Sofía, she knows where the key is.
💡 Grammar Points
Always Capitalized
Like 'Mr.' or 'Mrs.' in English, 'Doña' is always capitalized when used as a title before a name.
The Name Rule
You almost always use 'doña' with the woman’s first name (Doña Elena), not her last name, which is different from English usage.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using the Last Name
Mistake: "Hablé con Doña Pérez."
Correction: Hablé con Doña María (if her name is María Pérez). Use the first name for modern standard use.
⭐ Usage Tips
Respect is Key
Use 'doña' when addressing older women, women in positions of authority, or when you want to show formal respect.
Doña can informally refer to the matriarch or owner, meaning 'the lady in charge'.
doña(noun)
the lady (in charge)
?Informal reference to the matriarch or owner
Madam
?Referring to the owner or boss
📝 In Action
Cuidado con la doña, es muy estricta con las reglas.
B1Be careful with the lady (the boss), she is very strict about the rules.
¿Está la doña? Necesito pagar el alquiler.
B2Is the lady of the house (the landlady) in? I need to pay the rent.
💡 Grammar Points
Used Alone
In this informal sense, 'doña' is used with the definite article ('la doña') and stands alone, without a name following it.
⭐ Usage Tips
Context is Everything
This usage is often heard in service industries or within a family structure to refer to the woman who manages everything.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: doña
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses 'doña' as a title of respect for a woman named Elena Varela?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'doña' the same as 'señora'?
'Señora' (Mrs./Madam) is a more general title used before a last name (Señora Gómez) or alone. 'Doña' is much more personal and almost always precedes the first name (Doña Elena). Both show respect, but 'doña' is considered a slightly higher or more traditional form of courtesy.
Does 'doña' imply that the woman is married?
No. Unlike the distinction between 'Miss' and 'Mrs.' in English, 'doña' is used for any adult woman to show respect, regardless of her marital status.