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duende

DWEN-deh/ˈdwende/

“duende” means “elf” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

elf

Also: goblin, sprite
NounmA2
Latin America
A small, friendly elf with a pointed green hat and boots sitting on a large red mushroom in a forest.

📝 In Action

Mi hermano cree que hay un duende en el jardín.

A1

My brother thinks there is an elf in the garden.

Los duendes traviesos escondieron mis llaves.

A2

The mischievous goblins hid my keys.

Cuenta la leyenda que los duendes protegen el bosque.

B1

Legend says that sprites protect the forest.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • trasgo (goblin/hobgoblin)
  • gnomo (gnome)

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • duende travieso – mischievous elf
  • cuento de duendes – fairy tale about goblins

soul

Also: magic, charisma
NounmC1
Spain
A flamenco dancer in a vibrant red dress dancing with intense emotion and swirling fabric.

📝 In Action

Esa bailarina tiene mucho duende.

B2

That dancer has a lot of soul/magic.

El cantaor de flamenco mostró su duende en el escenario.

C1

The flamenco singer showed his artistic spirit on stage.

No es técnica, es que tiene duende al tocar la guitarra.

C2

It’s not technique, it’s that he has a special magic when playing the guitar.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • desgana (lack of enthusiasm)

Common Collocations

  • tener duende – to have that special something/soul
  • puro duende – pure magic/spirit

Idioms & Expressions

  • tener duende – To have a natural, mysterious charm or soul, especially in art.

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "duende" in Spanish:

elf→goblin→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: duende

Question 1 of 3

If someone says a singer 'tiene duende,' what do they mean?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
duendecillo(little elf/imp) — Noun
duendil(elf-like) — Adjective
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

Shortened from the phrase 'dueño de casa' (owner of the house). In the past, people believed small spirits or 'owners' lived in the walls and caused mischief.

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

Portuguese: duende

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Frequently Asked Questions

Are 'duendes' scary in Spanish culture?

Usually not. They are mostly seen as playful, mischievous creatures that hide things, rather than dangerous monsters.

Can I use 'duende' to describe a smart person?

No, 'duende' refers to artistic soul or a mythical creature, not intelligence.

Is there a plural form?

Yes, the plural is 'duendes'.