español
“español” means “Spanish” in Spanish. It has 3 different meanings depending on context:
Spanish
Also: of Spain
📝 In Action
La bandera español es roja y amarilla.
A1The Spanish flag is red and yellow.
Me gusta mucho el vino español.
A1I really like Spanish wine.
El arte español tiene una historia muy rica.
B1Spanish art has a very rich history.
Spanish
Also: Castilian
📝 In Action
¿Estás estudiando español?
A1Are you studying Spanish?
El español es mi idioma favorito.
A1Spanish is my favorite language.
Hay muchas palabras de origen árabe en el español.
B2There are many words of Arabic origin in Spanish.
Spaniard
Also: Spanish man
📝 In Action
Mi amigo es un español muy amable.
A1My friend is a very kind Spaniard.
Los españoles son conocidos por la siesta.
A2Spaniards (the people of Spain) are known for the siesta.
Translate to Spanish
Words that translate to "español" in Spanish:
spanish man→✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: español
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses 'español' as a noun (the language)?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
Comes from the Old Spanish word 'español' which itself is derived from the Medieval Latin term *Hispaniolus*. The original root refers to the Iberian Peninsula, known to the Romans as *Hispania*.
First recorded: Around the 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Should I capitalize 'español' when talking about the language?
No. In Spanish, names of languages (like inglés, francés, or español) are generally written in lowercase, unless they are the first word in a sentence.
What is the difference between 'español' and 'castellano'?
They both refer to the same language. 'Castellano' (Castilian) is often used to emphasize its origin in the region of Castile, and is preferred in some Latin American countries to distinguish it from other languages spoken in Spain.