fraile

fry-leh/ˈfɾajle/

“fraile” means “friar” in Spanish (a member of a religious order, especially those who work in the community).

friar

Also: monk

NounmB1

General

A man in a simple brown robe with a hood, standing in a peaceful garden.

📝 In Action

El fraile ayudaba a las personas enfermas del pueblo.

The friar helped the sick people of the town.

Vimos a un fraile caminando por el antiguo convento.

We saw a friar walking through the old friary.

El fraile vestía una túnica de color marrón.

The friar wore a brown robe.

Word Connections

Synonyms

monje (monk)
religioso (religious person)

Antonyms

laico (layperson (non-clergy))
seglar (secular person)

Common Collocations

fraile franciscano – Franciscan friar
hábito de fraile – friar's habit/robe
vida de fraile – the life of a friar (often implying a simple life)

Idioms & Expressions

Haz lo que el fraile dice, no lo que él hace – Listen to someone's advice even if they don't follow it themselves.

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "fraile" in Spanish:

friar→monk→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: fraile

Question 1 of 3

What is the correct way to address a friar named 'Pedro'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼

fray(friar (used as a title before a name)) — Noun

frailería(a group or assembly of friars) — Noun

frailesco(friar-like) — Adjective

🎵 Rhymes▼

bailetalle

📚 Etymology▼

From the Old French word 'frere' or Provençal 'fraire', which both come from the Latin word 'frater', meaning 'brother'.

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

French: frèreEnglish: friarItalian: frate

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a female version of 'fraile'?

No, 'fraile' is specifically for men. For a woman in a religious order, the word is 'monja' (nun).

Why does 'fraile' change to 'fray'?

It is a shortened form (called an apocope) used specifically when the word serves as a title directly before a person's name, similar to how 'grande' becomes 'gran'.

Is 'fraile' used in modern times?

Yes, it is still used to refer to members of orders like the Franciscans or Dominicans, though you will encounter it most often in history books or when visiting old Spanish missions and convents.