Inklingo

majo

MAH-ho/ˈmaxo/

majo means nice in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

nice, friendly

Also: pleasant, likable
AdjectivemA1informal
Spain
A friendly person sharing an umbrella with a shivering cat in the rain.

📝 In Action

Tu hermano es un chico muy majo.

A1

Your brother is a very nice guy.

¡Qué maja es la vecina nueva!

A2

How friendly the new neighbor is!

Me gusta salir con ellos porque son muy majos.

B1

I like hanging out with them because they are very pleasant people.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • simpático (nice/friendly)
  • amable (kind)

Antonyms

  • antipático (unpleasant/unfriendly)
  • borde (rude)

Common Collocations

  • caer majoto find someone nice
  • un tío majoa nice guy

attractive, good-looking

Also: pretty, nice
AdjectivemB1informal
A stylish person wearing elegant, well-fitted clothes and a confident smile.

📝 In Action

Te has comprado un coche muy majo.

B1

You've bought yourself a very nice/attractive car.

Ese vestido te queda muy majo.

B1

That dress looks very pretty on you.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • quedar majoto look nice/pretty

Translate to Spanish

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: majo

Question 1 of 3

If someone says '¡Qué maja eres!', what are they saying about you?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family
majeza(niceness/pleasantness)Noun
maja(a traditional stylish woman (historical))Noun
🎵 Rhymes
📚 Etymology

Likely derived from the Hebrew name 'Maia' or associated with the traditional 'May' festivities (Mayos) in Spain, where people dressed in flashy, traditional clothing. It evolved from describing flashy dressers to describing people who are generally pleasant or attractive.

First recorded: 18th century

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'majo' the same as 'guapo'?

Not exactly. While 'majo' can mean someone is good-looking in a subtle way, its primary meaning is that someone is 'nice' or 'pleasant'. 'Guapo' focuses strictly on physical beauty.

Can I use 'majo' for my boss?

Yes, but keep in mind it is informal. It's a compliment, so it's usually safe, but it's more common among friends or equals.

Why do I see 'La Maja Desnuda' in museums?

The word 'Maja' (and 'Majo') used to refer to a specific class of stylish, lower-class people in Madrid in the 18th and 19th centuries known for their elaborate outfits and attitude. Goya's famous paintings use this historical noun form.