hombre
/OM-breh/
This is the most common meaning of 'hombre': an adult male person.
hombre (Noun)
📝 In Action
El hombre alto lee un libro.
A1The tall man is reading a book.
¿Conoces a ese hombre de allí?
A2Do you know that man over there?
Mi hombre llega a las seis.
B1My husband gets here at six.
💡 Grammar Points
Always Masculine
The word 'hombre' is always masculine, so you'll always use 'el' or 'un' before it. For example, 'el hombre' (the man) or 'un hombre' (a man).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Mixing up 'hombre' and 'hombro'
Mistake: "Me duele el hombre."
Correction: Me duele el hombro. (My shoulder hurts). Be careful with that one letter difference! 'Hombre' is a person, 'hombro' is a body part.
⭐ Usage Tips
Referring to a Husband
In casual conversation, some people refer to their husband as 'mi hombre' (my man). It's similar to how you might hear 'my man' or 'my guy' in English.
'Hombre', used in a general sense, can mean all of humanity.
hombre (Noun)
📝 In Action
El hombre ha logrado grandes avances tecnológicos.
B1Mankind has achieved great technological advances.
La historia del hombre es fascinante.
B2The history of humankind is fascinating.
💡 Grammar Points
Singular for the Whole Group
When talking about humanity, Spanish often uses the singular, masculine 'el hombre' to represent everyone. Don't be surprised to see it used this way, even though it refers to all people.
⭐ Usage Tips
Use 'Ser Humano' for Neutrality
While using 'el hombre' for 'mankind' is correct, it can sound a bit old-fashioned. To be more inclusive and modern, you can use 'el ser humano' (the human being) or 'la humanidad' (humanity).
As an exclamation, '¡Hombre!' is used to show surprise or add emphasis.
hombre (Interjection)
📝 In Action
¡Hombre, María! ¡Cuánto tiempo sin verte!
A2Wow, Maria! Long time no see!
¡Claro que sí, hombre! Te ayudo.
B1Of course, man! I'll help you.
Pero ¡hombre!, ¿por qué no me llamaste?
B1Come on! Why didn't you call me?
⭐ Usage Tips
It's All in the Tone
The meaning of '¡Hombre!' changes a lot with your tone of voice. It can be friendly ('¡Hombre, qué bueno verte!'), slightly annoyed ('¡Pero hombre...!'), or encouraging ('¡Vamos, hombre!').
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: hombre
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'hombre' to mean 'mankind' or 'humanity'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between 'hombre' and 'varón'?
'Hombre' is the general, everyday word for 'man'. 'Varón' is a more formal or biological term for 'male'. You'd see 'varón' on a birth certificate, but you'd say 'hombre' in a conversation.
Is 'hombre' related to 'hombro' (shoulder)?
It's a great question because they look so similar! But no, they are not related. 'Hombre' comes from the Latin word for 'person' (homo), while 'hombro' comes from the Latin word for 'shoulder' (humerus). It's just a coincidence that they look alike.
Can you call a woman '¡Hombre!'?
Yes, absolutely! When used as an exclamation ('¡Hombre!'), it has nothing to do with gender. You can say it to anyone to express surprise or emphasis. For example: '¡Hombre, Ana, qué sorpresa!'